Colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic assay for detection of diethylstilbestrol residues

One-step membrane-based competitive colloidal gold-based immunoassays in immunochromatographic formats for the rapid detection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) were developed. Nitro-cellulose membrane strip was separately coated with goat anti-rabbit IgG (control line) and DES hapten-ovalubumin conjugate (test line). Anti-DES polyclonal antibody labeled with colloidal gold particles was first incubated with DES. A positive reaction as a result of the remaining antibody-gold conjugate combining with antigen coated on the membrane was obvious by visual detection, with detection limits for immunochromatographic of 0.5 microg/kg for detecting DES standard solution, and the limit of detection was 5 microg/kg for detecting the DES spiked in swine pork and liver. The assay time for test was less than 5 min, suitable for rapid testing on-site.     

胶体金免疫层析法快速检测三聚氰胺

采用戊二醛法制备三聚氰胺-BSA偶联抗原,胶体金标记三聚氰胺单克隆抗体,建立了检测三聚氰胺的胶体金免疫层析试验。结果显示,该试验具有良好的敏感性,胶体金免疫层析试验对鲜奶、奶粉和饲料样品中三聚氰胺的最低检测量分别为1.0、2.0和2.5μg/g,该法适合现场快速检测三聚氰胺。     

Preparation of an anti‐isoprocarb monoclonal antibody and its application in developing an immunochromatographic strip assay

In this study, a carboxyl group was introduced into the isoprocarb molecule to obtain an isoprocarb hapten, which was then coupled with a protein to obtain an artificial antigen. Three monoclonal antibody cell lines, 1D11, 6E6 and 1B5, were finally obtained by mouse immunization, cell fusion and subcloning, and the antibody produced by cell line 1B5 had the best affinity and sensitivity. The monoclonal antibody was highly sensitive and specific for isoprocarb, with an IC₅₀ of 2.09 ng/ml and a cross‐reactivity rate of <0.21%. By optimizing the indirect competitive (ic)‐ELISA, the optimal conditions were determined to be pH 7.4, 0% methanol and 0.8% NaCl, the limit of detection value was 0.23 ng/ml, and the linear range of the ic‐ELISA was 0.46–9.62 ng/ml. The recovery rate of the isoprocarb cucumber sample was 97–99% for the ic‐ELISA method. In addition, we successfully developed an immunochromatographic test strip for the detection of isoprocarb residues. The cutoff values in phosphate‐buffered saline and cucumber extract were 10 and 25 ng/ml, respectively. Both methods met the requirements for isoprocarb residue detection in agricultural products, and can be used for semiquantitative and qualitative analysis of isoprocarb in vegetables.     

猪肉中1-氨基乙内酰脲的胶体金免疫层析法快速检测

基于免疫竞争胶体金免疫层析原理,研制了检测食用肉中呋喃妥因代谢物1-氨基乙内酰脲(AHD)的免疫试纸条。用柠檬酸钠还原法制备胶体金颗粒,标记抗1-氨基乙内酰脲的衍生物(CPAHD)的单克隆抗体并喷于玻璃纤维上,CPAHD-BSA(Bovine serum albumin)抗原和羊抗鼠IgG分别结合于硝酸纤维膜上,依次将样品垫、胶体金垫、硝酸纤维素膜和吸水纸组装切割成AHD胶体金免疫层析快速检测试纸条。在5 min内肉眼观察结果,该试纸条对AHD的最低检测限为2.33μg/L,除与呋喃妥因有弱交叉反应外,与其他同类物均无交叉反应,用该试纸条和ELISA(Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay)检测猪肉中添加的AHD,结果呈现很好的相关性。该方法灵敏度高,简便快速,无需特殊仪器设备,可作为呋喃妥因残留批量检测的筛选方法。     

Rapid and sensitive double‐label based immunochromatographic assay for zearalenone detection in cereals

A double‐label immunochromatographic based assay (DL‐ICA) was developed to monitor zearalenone (ZEN) levels in cereals, based on Eu³⁺ nanoparticles (EuNP). The DL‐ICA exhibited excellent sensitivity, reliability and selectivity in real samples. It showed low limits of detection (0.21–0.25 μg/kg) and broad analytical ranges (up to 120 μg/kg). The total analytical time, including sample preparation and DL‐ICA execution, was reduced by 15 min compared with HPLC. The recovery rates ranged from 95.0–118.4%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) <11.6%. Inter‐ and intra‐day validations were assessed, recovery rates of 89.3–106.9% and RSD of 2.3–9.7% were obtained, suggesting considerable stability and reliability for the assay. An excellent correlation was observed between DL‐ICA and a reference HPLC method (R² = 0.9899). Compared to current immunoassays, the current DL‐ICA is inexpensive, highly sensitive, and rapid. Therefore, DL‐ICA constitutes a novel tool for monitoring mycotoxins in food and feed to ensure safety.     

Development and validation of an immunochromatographic assay for rapid multi-residues detection of cephems in milk

A one-step immunochromatographic assay (ICA) was developed for the detection of seven kinds of cephems in milk. Polyclonal antibodies (PcAb) with group-specific to cephems were raised in rabbits after immunization with cephalexin-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) conjugate. The specificity of anti-sera was determined by indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA), and the 50% inhibitions (IC₅₀) of cephalexin and cefadroxil were obtained at 1.5 ng mL⁻¹; IC₅₀ of cefatiofur, cefapirin, cefazolin, cefalothin and cefotaxine were 4, 3.7, 3.2, 4.5 and 5 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The PcAb against cephems were conjugated to colloidal gold particles as the detection reagent for ICA strips to test for cephems. This method achieved semi-quantitative detection of cephems in <5 min, with high sensitivity to cephalexin and cefadroxil (both 0.5 ng mL⁻¹). At the same time, cefatiofur, cefapirin, cefazolin, cefalothin and cefotaxine were detected at <100 ng mL⁻¹ in spiked processed-milk samples. This method was compared with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by testing 40 milk samples, and the positive samples were validated by a high-performance liquid chromatographic method, with an agreement rate of 100% for both comparisons. In conclusion, the method was rapid and accurate for the multi-residue detection of cephems in milk.     

An immunochromatographic assay for rapid and simultaneous detection of levonorgestrel and methylprednisolone in water samples

Synthetic contraceptive levonorgestrel (LNG) and glucocorticoid methylprednisolone (MP) residues are eventually discarded to environmental water system and function as environmental hormones, displaying potential risk to humans and ecosystems, thus there is an urgent need for fast, sensitive and simultaneous detection of these compounds in water samples. In this study, a competitive immunochromatographic assay (ICA) using colloidal gold-labeled polyclonal antibodies as probes for rapid and simultaneous detection of LNG and MP in water samples was developed. The visual detection limits of LNG and MP in water samples were 10 ng/mL. The detection process could be completed within 10 min. There was no cross-reactivity of the ICA with other seven compounds. The strips could be stored at 4℃ for 10 weeks without significant loss of activity. The assay is a suitable tool for rapid and semiquantitative detection of LNG and MP in water samples on site.     

Development of ELISA and immunochromatographic assay for ofloxacin

Two rapid,sensitive and reliable immunoassay methods,namely competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(CI- ELISA)and colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic assay(CGIA),were developed to detect ofloxacin(OFL).The linear range of the CI-ELISAwas from 0.5 to 128 ng/mL with a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.35 ng/mL.Good recoveries were obtained in analyzing simulated swine urine samples.The CGIA could accurately estimate OFL at concentrations as low as 10 ng/mL in less than 10 min,and test results were read visually without any instrument.     

Development and evaluation of a rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic strip assay for screening 19-nortestosterone

The lateral flow strip test for 19-nortestosterone is one kind of immunochromatographic assay. Nitrocellulose membrane was separately immobilized with goat anti-rabbit IgG (control line) and 19-NT-OVA conjugate (test line). Anti-19-NT polyclonal antibody labeled with colloidal gold particles acted as the detector reagent. The assay is qualitatively, not quantitatively, judged with positive or negative result. We tested the sensitivity of the strip using spiked swine urine, and each specimen was independently measured by LC/MS/MS. The sensitivity, measure by eye, was determined to be 200 ng/mL. The assay time was less than 15 min, and so suitable for on-site rapid test.     

A novel enhancement assay for immunochromatographic test strips using gold nanoparticles

The immunochromatographic assay is a well-known and convenient diagnostic system. In this report, the development of a novel enhancement assay for the test strips is described. Additionally, this highly sensitive immunochromatographic assay was applied to detect human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (HCG) as the model case. The primary antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles were used as the enhancer of the standard method. The primary antibodies were immobilized within a defined detection zone (test line) on the diagnostic nitrocellulose membrane. The secondary antibodies were conjugated with colloidal gold nanoparticles. In combination with an effective sample pretreatment, the gold-conjugated antibodies and the primary antibodies formed a sandwich complex with the target protein. Within the test line, the sandwich complex was immobilized, and furthermore, concentrated by the enhancer resulting in a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon and a distinct red color on the test line. The intensity of color of the red test line (signal intensity), which correlated directly with the concentration of the target protein in the standard or spiked samples, was assessed visually and by computer image analysis using a three-determination analysis. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) for HCG assay was 1 pg/mL. When using human serum, 10 pg/mL of HCG could be detected. We have also spiked total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) in female serum. The LOD for TPSA was determined as 0.2 ng/mL. With this method, the quantitative determination of the target protein could be completed in less than 15 min. Our novel immunochromatographic strips using the enhancing method based on LSPR of gold nanoparticles are useful as a rapid and simple screening method for the detection of important analytes for medical applications, environmental monitoring, food control, and biosecurity.      

Development of a combined technique using a rapid one-step immunochromatographic assay and indirect competitive ELISA for the rapid detection of baicalin

A colloidal gold conjugated anti-baicalin monoclonal antibody (anti-BA MAb) was prepared and used in an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) for BA in Scutellariae Radix and Kampo medicines. This competitive ICA uses an anti-BA MAb which shows a high specificity for BA and baicalein. Its advantages include a short assay time (15 min), no dependence on any instrumental systems, and it can detect BA in plant materials and Kampo medicines. The limit of detection for the ICA was found to be around 0.6 μg mL⁻¹of baicalin. Moreover, the usefulness of the combination of indirect competitive ELISA and the ICA using anti-BA MAb as a quality control method was confirmed for analysis of BA in Scutellariae Radix and Kampo medicines with a sufficient sensitivity (200 ng mL⁻¹ to 2 μg mL⁻¹), obtainable in an easy and timely manner.     

Development of a one-step immunochromatographic strip test for the rapid detection of nevirapine (NVP), a commonly used antiretroviral drug for the treatment of HIV/AIDS

Currently, high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods are mainly used to measure antiretroviral plasma concentrations in HIV-infected patients. Although the utility of routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) as an additional tool to optimize long-term antiretroviral therapy is unclear, if TDM is to be widely used, the availability of simple, cheap and reliable methods for the measurement of antiretroviral drug levels are needed, particularly in resource-limited settings. In this study, an immunochromatograhic (IC) strip test to detect the presence of nevirapine (NVP) in body fluids has been developed. Antiserum to NVP was first raised in rabbits by immunization against NVP chemically conjugated with bovine serum albumin, and subsequently validated by Western immunoblotting and competitive indirect ELISA. The partially purified anti-NVP antibodies were conjugated with colloidal gold particles. The conjugation of the colloidal gold and polyclonal antibodies was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy, while transmission electron microscopy images were used to characterize the particle size and shape of the conjugates. The resulting colloidal gold conjugates were used for the production of an IC strip test to detect nevirapine in human plasma. Preliminary assessment suggests no-cross reactivity of the NVP polyclonal antibodies but assessment of plasma samples from HIV-infected patients receiving HAART needs to be conducted. This assay could potentially be used for drug monitoring as part of the clinical care of HIV infected patients.     

Colloidal gold nanoparticle probe-based immunochromatographic assay for the rapid detection of chromium ions in water and serum samples

An immunochromatographic assay (ICA) using gold nanoparticles coated with monoclonal antibody (McAb) for the detection of chromium ions (Cr) in water and serum samples was developed, optimized and validated. Gold nanoparticles coated with affinity-purified monoclonal antibodies against isothiocyanobenzyl-EDTA (iEDTA)-chelated Cr³⁺ were used as the detecting reagent in this completive immunoassay-based one-step test strip. The ICA was investigated to measure chromium speciation (Cr³⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions) in water samples. Chromium standard samples of 0–80 ng mL⁻¹ in water were determined by the test strips. The results showed that the visual lowest detection limit (LDL) of the test strip was 50.0 ng mL⁻¹. A portable colorimetric lateral flow reader was used for the quantification of Cr. The results indicated that the linear range of the ICA with colorimetric detection was 5–80 ng mL⁻¹. The ICA was also validated for the detection of chromium ions in serum samples. The test trips showed high stability in that they could be stored at 37 °C for at least 12 weeks without significant loss of activity. The test strip also showed good selectivity for Cr detection with negligible interference from other heavy metals. Because of its low cost and short testing time (within 5 min), the test strip is especially suitable for on-site large-scale screening of Cr-polluted water samples, biomonitoring of Cr exposure, and many other field applications.     

MnFe2O4 nanoclusters as labels for the quantitative detection of D‐dimer in a lateral‐flow immunochromatographic assay

In this study, MnFe₂O₄ nanoclusters were prepared as bioprobes to establish a lateral‐flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) for the rapid and quantitative detection of D‐dimer for the first time. The magnetic properties of the magnetic labels play a key role in the quantitative detection of biomolecules. The 47.3‐nm MnFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoclusters (MNCs) with good dispersion and high saturation magnetization (76 emu/g) were fabricated via thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)₃ with Mn(acac)₂. The prepared MnFe₂O₄ MNCs were well dispersed in water because the surfaces were fully covered with 3,4‐dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid (DHCA) molecules by ligand exchange. Anti‐D‐dimer antibodies were coupled on the surface of MnFe₂O₄ MNCs, and the target protein, D‐dimer, was detected, in the range 0.05–6 μg/mL. This assay provides a promising platform for D‐dimer detection for point‐of‐care diagnosis.     

A novel immunochromatographic assay based on a time-resolved chemiluminescence strategy for the multiplexed detection of ractopamine and clenbuterol

A novel multiplexed immunochromatographic assay (ICA) based on a time-resolved chemiluminescence (CL) strategy was developed for quantitative detection of β-agonists, by utilizing ractopamine (RAC) and clenbuterol (CLE) as the models. Different from conventional multiplexed ICA methods which usually require two or more test lines, this strategy was developed for detection of two β-agonists by using only one test line on the nitrocellulose membrane. In this study, horseradish peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase were used as the signal probes to label RAC antibody and CLE antibody, respectively. The two CL reactions with flash type and glow type kinetics characteristics were triggered simultaneously by injecting the coreactants, then the signals for RAC and CLE detections were recorded at 3 s and 300 s after coreactants injection, respectively. Owing to the utilization of CL detection, this protocol showed ideal sensitivity for quantitation. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits for RAC and CLE were 0.17 ng mL⁻¹ and 0.067 ng mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3), respectively. The whole assay process can be accomplished within 20 min without complicated sample pretreatment. The proposed method was successfully applied for the detection of RAC and CLE in spiked swine urine. It opens up a new pathway for designing a low cost, time-efficiency and multiplexed strategy for rapid screening and field assay.     

胶体金免疫层析法检测罂粟碱的研究

建立了准确、快速,简便的检测食品中罂粟碱的胶体金免疫层析技术(GICA)。采用柠檬酸三钠还原法制备胶体金颗粒,标记罂粟碱(Papavarine)抗体。方法检出限为0.2μg/mL,正确检出率约为97%,特异性强,具有推广应用价值。     

Gold nanoparticle-based immunochromatographic assay for the detection of 7-aminoclonazepam in urine

An analytical system of immunochromatographic assay based on gold nanoparticles was developed for the detection of 7-aminoclonazepam (7-ACLZ) in human urine. The qualitative assay was based on the competitive immunoassay using anti-7-ACLZ polyclonal antibody (PcAb) and a detector reagent that contains colloidal gold particles coated with anti-7-ACLZ PcAb. Nitrocellulose membrane was separately immobilised with goat anti-rabbit IgG (control line) and 7-ACLZ-OVA conjugate (test line). The sensitivity of the strip was tested for detecting 7-ACLZ spiked in urine and each specimen was independently measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Good correlation was showed by the recovery results. The limit of detection for the strip test in urine was 100 ng mL^?1. The assay can be applied to the rapid detection of 7-ACLZ with the short testing time.     

Development of an immunosensor for the detection of testosterone in bovine urine

In the presented work, a disposable immunosensor for the detection of testosterone, an endogenous steroid hormone, in bovine urine has been developed using screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Due to concerns over the use of steroid hormones as growth promoters, the EU prohibits their use in food producing animals. Consequently, rigorous screening procedures have been implemented in all member states to detect the illegal administration of such compounds. Competitive immunoassays were developed, initially by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and subsequently transferred to an electrochemical immunosensor format using disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was the enzyme label of choice and chronoamperometric detection was carried out using a tetramethylbenzidine/hydrogen peroxide (TMB/H₂O₂) substrate system, at +100 mV. The EC₅₀ values obtained for the assay in buffer and urine gave relatively comparable results, 710 pg mL⁻¹ and 960 pg mL⁻¹, respectively. The linear range obtained for the assay in buffer extended from 0.03 ng mL⁻¹ to 40 ng mL⁻¹; while that in urine ranged from 0.03 ng mL⁻¹ to 1.6 ng mL⁻¹. The corresponding limits of detection (LOD) in buffer and urine were 26 pg mL⁻¹ and 1.8 pg mL⁻¹. Cross reactivity profiles of the antibody have been examined, with notable cross reactivities with 19-nortestosterone (11.6%) and boldenone (9.86%). Precision studies for the sensor demonstrated adequate reproducibility (CV < 13%, n = 3) and repeatability (CV < 9%, n = 3). Recovery data obtained showed good agreement between spiking studies and known concentrations of analyte. Sensors showed stability for 4 days at +4 °C. A sensitive, highly specific, inexpensive, disposable immunosensor, showing excellent overall performance for the detection of testosterone in bovine urine, has been developed.     

Pretreatment-free immunochromatographic assay for the detection of streptomycin and its application to the control of milk and dairy products

A rapid pretreatment-free immunochromatographic assay was developed for the control of the streptomycin (STR) content in milk and dairy products. The assay is based on the competition between an immobilized STR–protein conjugate and STR in a sample to be tested for the binding to monoclonal anti-STR antibodies conjugated to colloidal gold during the flow of the sample along a membrane strip with immobilized reactants. It is possible to improve the cut-off level of positive and negative samples distinguished by a change in the molar STR to protein ratio in the immobilized conjugate. The cut-off level (500 ng mL⁻¹) thus achieved corresponds to the stated MRL of STR in milk and dairy products. For STR concentrations in the range of 16–250 ng mL⁻¹ its content can be quantitatively measured based on the degree of binding of a colloidal gold label in the test strip zone with the immobilized STR–protein conjugate. The duration of the assay is 10 min. The selected sizes of membrane pores and colloidal gold particles allow the assay to be carried out at room temperature without additional reactants and pretreatment. The applicability of the assay for milk, whole milk, sour clotted milk, and kefir with different fat content (from 0.5% to 6%) was confirmed. The results of quantitative immunochromatographic assay show good correlation with traditional ELISA (r was equal to 0.935 and 0.940 for the series tested).     

Highly sensitive multianalyte immunochromatographic test strip for rapid chemiluminescent detection of ractopamine and salbutamol

A novel immunochromatographic assay (ICA) was proposed for rapid and multiple assay of β₂-agonists, by utilizing ractopamine (RAC) and salbutamol (SAL) as the models. Owing to the introduction of chemiluminescent (CL) approach, the proposed protocol shows much higher sensitivity. In this work, the described ICA was based on a competitive format, and horseradish peroxidase-tagged antibodies were used as highly sensitive CL probes. Quantitative analysis of β₂-agonists was achieved by recording the CL signals of the probes captured on the two test zones of the nitrocellulose membrane. Under the optimum conditions, RAC and SAL could be detected within the linear ranges of 0.50–40 and 0.10–50 ng mL⁻¹, with the detection limits of 0.20 and 0.040 ng mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3), respectively. The whole process for multianalyte immunoassay of RAC and SAL can be completed within 20 min. Furthermore, the test strip was validated with spiked swine urine samples and the results showed that this method was reliable in measuring β₂-agonists in swine urine. This CL-based multianalyte test strip shows a series of advantages such as high sensitivity, ideal selectivity, simple manipulation, high assay efficiency and low cost. Thus, it opens up new pathway for rapid screening and field analysis, and shows a promising prospect in food safety.