A compact long-wavelength fluorescence detection system and its application to flow injection immunoassay

A compact and robust long-wavelength fluorescence detection system (LWFDS) has been constructed using a pulsed diode laser as the light source and a photodiode detector. The detection limits for naphthofluorescein (NF) and the cyanine dyes Cy5 and Cy5.5 at pH 8.8, determined using the LWFDS, were 1.0×10⁻¹⁰, 2.3×10⁻¹² and 6.2×10⁻¹¹ M, respectively. These values compared favourably with data from a commercial research grade fluorescence spectrometer. The LWFDS instrument was used as the detector for a competitive heterogeneous flow injection immunoassay for α-interferon with Cy5 as the label. A calibration graph usable over the range 0.5-10 μg ml⁻¹ α-interferon was obtained. The instrument demonstrated its potential for rapid (<200 s per sample) multi-analyte assays and for field monitoring.     

Enzyme immunoassay for aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct and its validation

A simple procedure was developed for in vitro synthesis and characterization of aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct using aflatoxin B1, N-alpha-acetyl lysine and m-chloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA). At a molar ratio of 1:16 (aflatoxin B1:N-alpha-cetyl lysine), the recovery of adduct was 62%. Analysis of the adduct by thin-layer chromatography showed a single spot (Rf = 0). Absorption spectra of the adduct showed 2 peaks at 275 and 335 nm. Liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis of the AFB1-lysine adduct showed a relative retention time of 2.1 min. Using the same epoxidation procedure, BSA-AFB1 adduct and ovalbumin-AFB1 adduct were synthesized for production of antibodies and as coating antigen, respectively. Control rat serum, spiked with AFB1-lysine adduct and subjected to LC analysis showed a retention time of 2.1 min, which is similar to that of AFB1-lysine reference standard, synthesized. Further, enzymatically hydrolyzed, control rat serum spiked with BSA-AFB1 adduct showed 2 peaks with retention times of 2.1 and 2.7 min. Based on the LC analysis, recovery of BSA-AFB1 in terms of AFB1-lysine adducts was 67 +/- 5%. The major peak (2.1 min) accounted for 72% of the adduct; the second minor peak (2.7 min) accounted for 28% of the total AFB1-lysine adducts formed. Stability studies on the AFB1-lysine adduct synthesized, indicated that it was stable for 1 month. Antibody capture assay showed an absorbance of 0.9 to 1.0 at a dilution of 1:50,000 when ovalbumin-AFB1 was used as a coating antigen. Indirect competitive ELISA showed 50% displacement (IC50) of the antibodies at a concentration of 13 ng AFB1-lysine, whereas the IC50 for AFB1 was 7 ng. The recovery of AFB1-lysine adduct spiked to control rat serum followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and immunoanalysis (indirect ELISA) was 93 +/- 6%. The enzyme immunoassay was validated by a rodent model, in which the animals were exposed to aflatoxin B1 (20 microg AFB1/kg body mass/day). The level of AFB1-lysine adduct in the rat serum was 27.3 +/- 4.37 microg/mg albumin.     

酶联免疫吸附分析法测定食品中的苏丹红I号

本研究建立了测定食品中苏丹红I号含量的间接竞争酶联免疫分析法。首先对苏丹红I号分子作了的修饰，再与载体蛋白交联制得免疫原和包被抗原，经动物免疫制得抗苏丹红I号的抗体。在包被抗原为100μg／L，抗体为1：100，000倍稀释，标记二抗为1：15000倍稀释的优化条件下，测得检出限为0．12μg／L，IC50值（标准曲线中吸光度抑制至最大吸光度值的50％时所对应的待测物浓度）为0．74μg／L。苏丹红I号在番茄酱和辣椒面中的回收率分别为106％和110％。样品仅需甲醇萃取再用缓冲液简单稀释就可以直接进行ELISA测定。     

Rapid determination of banned Sudan I in foodstuffs using a mesoporous SiO2 modified electrode

Rapid determination of Sudan I in foodstuffs is very important because it was found to be a carcinogen and its use in the food industry was banned. A rapid, sensitive, and convenient electrochemical method was developed for the determination of Sudan I based on the distinctive properties of mesoporous SiO2. The electrochemical responses of Sudan I were investigated. A sensitive oxidation peak was observed for Sudan I, and the peak currents greatly increased at the mesoporous SiO2-modified electrode, which can be attributed to its large surface area and high accumulation efficiency. The effects of pH, amount of mesoporous SiO2, scan rate, accumulation potential, and time were examined on the oxidation signals of Sudan I. The linear range was from 4.00 x 10(-8) to 2.00 x 10(-5) M, and the LOD was 7.50 x 10(-9) M. The newly developed method was successfully used to detect and quantify Sudan I in hot chili powder and juice samples.     

Development of a non-competitive immunoassay for cortisol and its application to the analysis of saliva

A general method of performing non-competitive immunoassays for a low-molecular-mass analyte was developed and applied to cortisol determination in saliva samples. The method is based on the use of a “blocking reagent”, which is able to bind to antibody sites not occupied by the analyte, and in a stronger way than the analyte itself. When an enzyme-labelled analyte is added it substitutes the analyte in the antibody complex, but not the blocking reagent. The measured signal is linearly correlated to the concentration of the complex and, consequently, to the analyte concentration. The 3σ limit of detection (LOD, 0.2 nmol l⁻¹) obtained by the above method was 10 times lower than that obtained by the corresponding ELISA. As non-competitive immunoassays reported for small molecules up to now have been no more than just approaches, the suitability of the proposed assay for cortisol quantification in a real matrix was investigated. Human saliva was chosen as a matrix because of the need for very sensitive techniques to determine salivary cortisol content. The matrix effect was offset by performing the calibration experiments in acidic conditions (pH=5.6) and adding 0.1% of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the buffer. In these conditions, the LOD was 1.4 nmol l⁻¹, which was adequate to measure normal levels of cortisol. Spiked samples were analysed and gave recoveries ranging from about 80 to 120%. Therefore, five subject samples, collected over 18 h showed salivary cortisol concentrations compatible with the circadian variation of reported normal values.     

4-Amino-1-naphthylphosphate as a substrate for the amperometric detection of alkaline phosphatase activity and its application for immunoassay

Immunosensors and biochemical array detection systems based on electrochemical transducers have many advantages such as low detection limit, fast response, simple design and ease of miniaturization. However, further development of such sensors will depend on the availability of suitable substrates that can be converted by a labeling enzyme to an electrochemically active product. Here, we report the synthesis of 4-amino-1-naphthylphosphate and it’s application as a new substrate for alkaline phosphatase. The electrochemical and enzymatic properties of this compound were investigated and compared with the properties of other aromatic 1,4-dihydroxy and 1,4-hydroxy-amine derivatives. The product of the enzyme reaction was 4-aminonaphthol, which was rapidly converted in the presences of air to 1,4-iminonaphthoquinone. This compound could then be detected in an amperometric flow injection assay (AFIA) with −200 mV versus Ag/AgCl potential application. The analytical range for mouse IgG, in an alkaline phosphatase amplified sandwich immuoassay with amperometric detection, was 0.01-100 μg ml⁻¹.     

Surfactant to dye binding degree based approach for the selective determination of l-glutamate in foodstuffs

A selective method for the determination of l-glutamate in foodstuffs has been developed. It was based on the competition established between the analyte and the dye Coomassie brilliant blue G (CBBG) to interact with the surfactant didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDABr). The measurement parameter was the amount of DDABr required to reach a given dye-to-surfactant binding degree. It was obtained by photometric titration on the basis of the changes observed in the spectral characteristics of the dye when CBBG–DDABr aggregates were formed. The calibration graph obtained was linear in the l-glutamate concentration interval 0.2–5 mM (detection limit 0.05 mM). The high selectivity of the proposed method (other amino acids and food additives did not interfere at the concentrations present in foodstuffs) permitted the direct analysis of food samples after dissolution of the analyte in hot water. The accuracy of the surfactant to the dye binding degree method was demonstrated by determining l-glutamate in different kinds of foodstuffs (liquid and dried soups, seasonings, pasta sauces and dried mushroom creams) and comparing the results obtained with those provided by the commercial Boehringer Mannheim essay.     

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).     

Development of a simple gel permeation clean-up procedure coupled to a rapid disequilibrium enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Sudan I dye in spices and sauces

Sudan dyes have been found to be added to chilli and chilli products for illegal colour enhancement purposes. Due to the possible carcinogenic effect, they are not authorized to be used in food in the European Union or the USA. However, over the last few years, many products imported from Asian and African countries have been reported via the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed in the European Union to be contaminated with these dyes. In order to provide fast screening method for the detection of Sudan I (SI), which is the most widely abused member of Sudan dyes family, a unique (20 min without sample preparation) direct disequilibrium enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. The assay was based on polyclonal antibodies highly specific to SI. A novel, simple gel permeation chromatography clean-up method was developed to purify extracts from matrices containing high amounts of fat and natural pigments, without the need for a large dilution of the sample. The assay was validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC criteria. The detection capability was determined to be 15 ng g⁻¹ in sauces and 50 ng g⁻¹ in spices. The recoveries found ranged from 81% to 116% and inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation from 6% to 20%. The assay was used to screen a range of products (85 samples) collected from different retail sources within and outside the European Union. Three samples were found to contain high amounts (1,649, 722 and 1,461 ng g⁻¹) of SI by ELISA. These results were confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The innovative procedure allows for the fast, sensitive and high throughput screening of different foodstuffs for the presence of the illegal colorant SI.     

Antibody development to testosterone and its application in capillary electrophoresis-based immunoassay

The present report describes a rapid, simple, and highly selective approach to perform testosterone competitive immunoassay by CE and LIF detection. The method involves using synthesized fluorescence-labeled testosterone as a tracer to compete with testosterone. Two polyclonal antibodies (antibody (Ab) arised from T-3-BSA (Ab(3)) and Ab arised from T-17-BSA (Ab(17))) and their respective tracers have been optimized and Ab(3) system is used for the quantification of testosterone by CE-based immunoassay. The method is developed with a wide working range of 3.70-2000 ng/mL and an LOD at 1.11 ng/mL. Tests for normal and positive urine samples show that this method has the potential to be applied in testosterone doping control.     

Methods for the detection of foodstuffs treated by irradiation

The Community Bureau of Reference - BCR - a research programme on measurements and testing of the European Community has organised a two years concerted action to develop and to validate methods of detection of foodstuffs treated by irradiation. The work was carried out by 50 scientists and was coordinated by 9 specialists in physics, chemistry, biology and microbiology. The results of this collaboration were that 3 methods (ESR, TL, ACP/DEFT) are validated and 2 methods (chemical, DNA) are to be validated.     

A monoclonal antibody-based immunosensor for detection of Sudan I using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Sudan I monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were prepared by hybridoma technique and firstly used to develop a Sudan I immunosensor by immobilizing the Mabs on a gold electrode. o-Mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) was covalently conjugated on the gold electrode to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The immobilization of Sudan I Mabs to the SAM was carried out through a stable acyl amino ester intermediate generated by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydrosuccinimide (NHS), which could condense antibodies reproducibly and densely on the SAM. The changes of the electrode behavior after each assembly step were investigated by cyclic voltammetric (CV) technique. The Sudan I concentration was measured through the increase of impedance values in the corresponding specific binding of Sudan I and Sudan I antibody. A linear relationship between the increased electron-transfer resistance (Ret) and the logarithmic value of Sudan I concentrations was found in the range of 0.05-50 ng mL⁻¹ with the detection limit of 0.03 ng mL⁻¹. Using hot chili as a model sample, acceptable recovery of 96.5-107.3% was obtained. The results were validated by conventional HPLC method with good correlation. The proposed method was proven to be a feasible quantitative method for Sudan I analysis with the properties of stability, highly sensitivity and selectivity.     

Enzyme immunoassay for semicarbazide--the nitrofuran metabolite and food contaminant

Semicarbazide (SEM), the marker residue for the banned nitrofuran veterinary antibiotic nitrofurazone (NFZ), has been detected regularly in foods (47% of recent nitrofuran EU Rapid Alerts involve SEM). However, the validity of SEM as a definitive marker for NFZ has been undermined by SEM arising from other sources including azodicarbonamide, a plastics blowing agent and flour treatment additive. An inexpensive screening test for SEM in food matrices is needed—all SEM testing currently uses expensive LC-MS/MS instrumentation. We now report the first production of antibodies against derivatised SEM. A novel carboxyphenyl SEM derivative was used to raise a polyclonal antibody that has been incorporated into a semi-quantitative microtitre plate ELISA, validated according to the criteria set out in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, for use with chicken muscle. The antibody is highly specific for derivatised SEM, cross-reactivity being 1.7% with NFZ and negligible with a wide range of other nitrofurans and poultry drugs. Samples are derivatised with o-nitrobenzaldehyde and simultaneously protease digested before extraction by cation exchange SPE. The ELISA has a SEM detection capability (CC_β) of 0.25 μg kg⁻¹ when a threshold of 0.21 μg kg⁻¹ is applied to the selection of samples for confirmation (lowest observed 0.25 μg kg⁻¹ fortified sample, n = 20), thus satisfying the EU nitrofurans’ minimum required performance limit of 1 μg kg⁻¹. NFZ-incurred muscles (12) containing SEM at 0.5-5.0 μg kg⁻¹ by LC-MS/MS, all screened positive by this ELISA protocol which is also applicable to egg and chicken liver.     

Combinatorial dapoxyl dye library and its application to site selective probe for human serum albumin

The combinatorial fluorescent dapoxyl dye library was prepared by both solution- and solid-phase synthesis, generating 80 unique dapoxyl derivatives. A fluorescence-based screening toward human serum albumin (HSA) found one highly sensitive HSA binder ( A41-S) with over 55-fold intensity change. Displacement assay showed the selective binding of A41-S to the site I of HSA, addressing its potential to be a highly selective and sensitive HSA probe.     

Development of bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay for s-equol using firefly luciferase and its application to the assessment of equol-producer status

In this study, we developed a specific bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay (BLEIA) for S-equol, employing firefly luciferase as a labeling enzyme, as an alternative to HPLC methods. Satisfactory correlation (r=0.992) was shown when this S-equol BLEIA was compared with HPLC. The cross-reactivity with R-equol as its diastereoisomer is <5%, and that with daidzein, which is the substrate of equol, is 0.02%. Frequencies of Japanese equol producers determined using two distinct approaches were compared: a threshold value for urinary S-equol concentration of 232 ng/ml gave frequencies of 32% of men and 19% of women. These values correspond to the results for log(10)-transformed urinary S-equol to daidzein ratio threshold of -1.75, namely, 34% of men and 19% of women. When the changes in concentration of urinary equol and daidzein were measured after ingestion of isoflavone, the maximum concentration (C(max)) of urinary equol appeared after 9.6 h of isoflavone consumption; this C(max) was 2 h later than that for daidzein. The S-equol BLEIA documented in this study is expected to be an important tool for the assessment of equol producer status and demonstration of the bioavailability of isoflavone.     

Enzyme immunoassay for the drug of anti-ulcer using avidin-biotin system.

We have developed a competitive enzyme immunoassay for a drug, which was a newly synthesized anti-ulcer agent, using an enzyme immunoassay. The polyclonal anti-drug antibody coupled to biotin, peroxidase labeled drug derivatives as a tracer, and a small column of Sepharose 4B covalently bound to avidin were used in the assay. This assay is simple and rapid, and the sensitivity and the measuring range can be controlled by the flow rate of the substrate solution. The correlation between serum drug concentrations (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) measured by gas chromatography and this assay was good (r = 0.991). This principle for the assay is very practical and applicable to the enzyme immunoassay for small and large molecules.     

Washing-free chemiluminescence immunoassay for rapid detection of cardiac troponin Ⅰ in whole blood samples

Chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLⅠA) has always been a great challenge in detecting cardiac troponin Ⅰ(c Tn Ⅰ) in whole blood samples without centrifugation because of the interference of red blood cells and low sensitivity. Ⅰn this study, the antigens and erythrocytes in the blood were captured by the antibodies immobilized on the magnetic particles, recognized by another biotinconjugated c Tn Ⅰ antibody and detected by streptavidin/acridine aster-conjugated polychloromethylstyrene microspheres(...     

Rational design and application of molecularly imprinted sol-gel polymer for the electrochemically selective and sensitive determination of Sudan I

An electrochemical strategy on the basis of rationally designed molecularly imprinted sol-gel polymer embedded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is developed for the specific and sensitive determination of Sudan I. The rationally designed sensing Sudan I imprinted sol-gel was prepared by mixing Sudan I with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, chitosan, and AuNPs, followed by copolymerization and extraction of the template molecules. The hybrid forming membrane was characterized by SEM and FTIR-ATR, and used for the linear sweep voltammetric (LSV) determination of Sudan I in water/ethanol solutions. The LSV responses exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity, as discriminated from Sudan I analogues. Under optimal experimental conditions, LSV peak currents were linearly proportional to the concentrations of Sudan I in the range from 0.1 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M, with a detection limit of 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ M. The strategy is generally applicable in developing sensitive, selective, and moreover, reusable electrochemical sensors for quantitative determination of electroactive species.