Environmental Analysis Using Antibody and Receptor Based Techniques

Abstract

Immunochemical analysis relies on the selective binding of antibodies to defined targets such as environmental compounds. Commercial applications in the environmental field are still restricted to a limited number of immunoassays and a few immunochromatographic applications. The main barrier to a broader exploitation is seen in the generation of a sufficient number of antibodies within an acceptable time period. Recombinant technologies are expected to eventually replace the circumstantial approach to obtain new Abs by new immunizations. Examples for recombinant singlechain fragments (scFv) and antigen binding fragments (Fab) directed against herbicidal s-triazines are given. If antibodies are replaced by receptors and other functional ligands, biological effects monitoring becomes available. As an example an enzyme-linked receptor assay (ELRA) for endocrine disruptors providing estrogen equivalents is presented. Finally, the concept of bioresponse-linked instrumental analysis is introduced for the tight coupling of effect monitoring to chemical analysis. In the first step, analyte binding by functional biomolecules is recorded to provide binding equivalents. The second step is targeted at chemical analysis of bioeffective analytes bound to the functional biomolecules.