Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the pyrethroid cypermethrin

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of cypermethrin was developed. Two haptens, the trans- and cis-isomers of 3-[(+/-)-cyano-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarbonyloxy]methyl]phenoxyacetic acid, were conjugated with thyroglobulin as immunogens. Four antisera were generated and screened against six different coating antigens. The assay that was the most sensitive for cypermethrin was optimized and characterized. The IC(50) for cypermethrin was 13.5 +/- 4.3 microg/L, and the lower detection limit (LDL) was 1.3 +/- 0.5 microg/L. This ELISA had relatively low cross-reactivities with other major pyrethroids, such as deltamethrin, phenothrin, resmethrin, fluvalinate, and permethrin. Methanol was found to be the best organic cosolvent for this ELISA, with an optimal sensitivity observed at a concentration of 40% (v/v). The assay parameters were unchanged at pH values between 5.0 and 8.0, whereas higher ionic strengths strongly suppressed the absorbances. To increase the sensitivity of the overall method, a C(18) sorbent-based solid-phase extraction was applied to various domestic and environmental water samples. The water samples, fortified with cypermethrin, were analyzed according to this method. Good recoveries and correlation with spike levels were observed.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the pyrethroid insecticide cyhalothrin

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detection of the pyrethroid insecticide cyhalothrin. Three haptens with an amine or propanoic acid terminus were synthesized and then conjugated with bovine serum albumin to give immunogens. Eight polyclonal antisera produced by rabbits were screened for titers and affinity using three different coating antigens. The antiserum CWB-C had the highest affinity with cyhalothrin and a low affinity with fenvalerate, fenpropathrin, deltamethrin, and fluvalinate. The half-maximum inhibition concentration for cyhalothrin was 37.2 microg/L, and the limit of detection was 4.7 microg/L. The recoveries of different concentrations of cyhalothrin (0.1-2500 microg/L) from fortified tap water, well water, and wastewater samples as determined with the ELISA were 81-114%.     

Development of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of endosulfan residues in agricultural products

Two competitive immunoassays, a laboratory assay based on microwell plates and a field test based on the use of polystyrene tubes, have been developed for the detection of endosulfan in agricultural products. The limit of detection for the microwell plate format was 0.8 +/- 0.1 microg/kg, and the limit of detection for the tube format was 1.6 +/- 0.2 microg/kg. A simple, rapid, and efficient extraction method was employed, and 76-112% recoveries of spiked samples were obtained. Methanol extracts of some agricultural product samples such as grape, carrot, spinach, and tobacco could be analyzed directly by immunoassay after dilution in 0.5% fish skin gelatin-phosphate buffered saline. In contrast, extracts of green tea caused significant interference in the assay, and a number of simple cleanup methods were ineffective in removing interference. However, use of the coagulating reagent polyvinyl pyrrolidone removed the matrix effect effectively. For the validation of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests, samples were analyzed by ELISA and gas chromatography (GC) after solid phase extraction. The relationship between data obtained using the tube assay and microwell assay was good (the lowest r(2) value was 0.94), and also, the immunoassay assay data correlated well with data obtained from GC analysis (the lowest r(2) value was 0.93). The developed immunoassay methods are the suitable methods for the rapid quantitative and reliable determination of endosulfan residues in agricultural products.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for residue analysis of the fungicide azoxystrobin in agricultural products

A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-ELISA) was developed for residue analysis of azoxystrobin in garden crops, for which the maximum residue limits (MRLs) are 0.5-50 mg/kg in Japan. For hapten synthesis, an ethyl carboxyl group was introduced to the 4-position of the 2-cyanophenoxy group in azoxystrobin, and its cyano group was changed to a methyl group. An anti-azoxystrobin monoclonal antibody was prepared from mice immunized with hapten-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate. The dc-ELISA using prepared antibody showed 50-250-fold higher sensitivity compared to the MRLs. The working range of the dc-ELISA was 10-200 ng/mL. The dc-ELISA showed high specificity to azoxystrobin. When methanol extracts from nine kinds of garden crops spiked with azoxystrobin ranging near the MRLs were analyzed, the determined results by the dc-ELISA agreed well with the results of their controls. In addition, azoxystrobin spiked in garden crops homogenates was satisfactorily extracted by methanol solution and easily analyzed. The recovery rate of dc-ELISA was 96-109% and correlated well with the results obtained by HPLC analysis.     

Direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for sulfamethazine residues in milk

A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described for the detection and estimation of sulfamethazine residues in milk. Samples are cleaned up rapidly by acidifying and centrifuging the milk, adjusting the supernatant liquid to pH 7.0, and centrifuging again. The supernate is then assayed using set points to estimate sulfamethazine levels in the sample in the range of 1 ppb to 1 ppm. Multiple samples of milk can be screened in 1.5-2 h by this ELISA method.     

Determination of haloanisols in white wine by immunosorbent solid-phase extraction followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A high through-put screening immunochemical method to control the presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisol (TCA) and 2,4,6-tribromoanisol (TBA), the main agents responsible for the musty odor in wine samples, has been developed. The method involves a selective (antibody-antigen) solid-phase extraction (SPE), followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. The sample preparation method established uses for immunosorbents (ISs) prepared by covalently coupling antibodies developed for TCA on a sepharose support. At present, about 200-400 ng L-1 of TBA and TCA can be detected in white wine samples by the IS-SPE-ELISA method described here without any preconcentration step. Simultaneous analyses of many samples are possible with this method. Related chloroanisoles (2,3- and 2,6-dichloroanisols and 2,3,4,5-tetrachloroanisol) and chlorophenols (2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) usually present in contaminated wine samples are also effectively retained by the IS, although only 2,4,6-TCA and 2,4,6-TBA are detected by the ELISA used. The immunopurification procedure developed could also be useful as a selective cleanup method prior to chromatographic analysis.     

Development and fast screening of salbutamol residues in swine serum by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in Taiwan

The analysis of salbutamol in swine serum is the more practical basis for large scale surveillance programs in Taiwan. Objectives of the study were to develop a new assay and to compare with a commercially available kit in field test screens. A simple and reliable enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to monitor the presence of beta-agonist, salbutamol, in 1,358 field samples of swine serum that were collected from local meat markets was described. The method proved to be suitable and sensitive for the detection of beta-agonist residues caused by growth promoting dosage. The limit of detection of the developed ELISA directly performed on diluted serum was 0.25 ng/mL. The application and the results of two ELISA kits (homemade and commercially available) for the screening of salbutamol were presented. For further confirmation, all samples that showed to be ELISA positive for salbutamol residues were analyzed by GC-MS. Adopting 1 ng/mL salbutamol as a cutoff value, the commercial beta-agonist ELISA had a sensitivity of 89.2% and a specificity of 86.7% versus GC-MS at a cutoff of 1 ng/mL. The homemade salbutamol ELISA had a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 98.6% and gave a low proportion of false-positive rate results. The reliability of the developed kit in terms of the percentage of false-positive rate results is evaluated. In conclusion, a sensitive, specific salbutamol ELISA has been developed that could serve as a rapid screening assay, and the detection of positive samples at the place of sampling can result in more effective control of the illegal use of beta-agonists.     

Improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for aflatoxin B1 in agricultural commodities

An improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for aflatoxin B1 in cornmeal and peanut butter was developed. Aflatoxin B1 in cornmeal and peanut butter samples was extracted with 70% methanol in water containing 1% dimethylformamide diluted with assay buffer to a final concentration of 7.0% methanol, and directly subjected to an ELISA procedure that took less than 1 h for quantitative analysis and less than 30 min for screening tests. Analytical recoveries for 5-100 ppb B1 added to the cornmeal and peanut butter were 91 and 95.4%, respectively. The interwell and interassay coefficient of variation was 10% or less at the 20 ppb level and above. Agreement for B1 levels in more than 30 naturally contaminated corn, mixed feed, and peanut butter samples was excellent between the ELISA data and the data obtained from different independent laboratories using TLC or other analytical methods.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of pentachloronitrobenzene residues in environmental samples

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), a fungicide and chemical intermediate, was developed using a polyclonal antiserum produced against a hapten-protein conjugate of pentachlorophenoxypropionic acid-bovine serum albumin (BSA). An indirect competitive ELISA of PCNB showed an IC50 of 37 ng/mL and a limit of detection (LOD) of 7 ng/mL. The ELISA can tolerate up to 10% (v/v) methanol, 5% (v/v) acetonitrile, or 5% (v/v) acetone without significant fluctuation of Amax and IC50. The assay sensitivity showed little change in a range of pH from 6 to 8 and concentrations of 0.05-0.2 M NaCl in the assay buffer. Very low cross-reactivities were observed for some structurally related compounds except for hexachlorobenzene (12%). The average recoveries of PCNB from fortified well water, river water, and soil samples were in ranges of 88-94, 80-91, and 70-81%, respectively. The correlations between the gas chromatographic and ELISA results were excellent (r 2 >or= 0.97, slopes from 0.86 to 1.10) for those fortified samples. The ELISA is a good alternative tool for monitoring PCNB residues in environmental samples.     

Improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of soy protein in meat products

An indirect, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for quantitation of soy protein in meat products. The methodology allows rapid aqueous extraction of meat samples into a liquid form suitable for assay. The assay is highly specific for soy protein and is designed to measure soy protein levels between 1 and 10% of the wet weight of the sample. Standardized, stabilized reagents for carrying out the procedure are commercially available in a kit. The analysis, including sample preparation, can be completed within a workday, and the actual immunoassay in less than 60 min.     

Rapid monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Listeria in food products

A rapid diagnostic test for the detection of Listeria in food products has been created. This test, known as Listeria-Tek, uses 2 monoclonal antibodies specific for Listeria in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format. The test requires only 40 h of broth enrichment with no culturing on solid media. It is extremely simple to perform and easy to interpret, and is at least as sensitive and accurate as the best of the culture methods. The test can be used with dairy products, meat products, and environmental samples. The ELISA test is safely performed on the open bench of the laboratory because no live cultures, no radioactivity, no phage, etc., are necessary. There is no need for special licenses or reserved laboratory space, and no waste disposal problems are encountered. If necessary, one technician could easily perform hundreds of assays per day. A printed data sheet is available for permanent records.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the insecticide thiamethoxam

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam, 3-(2-chlorothiazol-5-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-4-nitroimino-1,3,5-oxadiazinane. Three antisera were raised from rabbits immunized with the hapten-KLH conjugate. On the basis of the computational analysis of hapten candidates, the hapten with a spacer arm on the thiazolyl ring of thiamethoxam was synthesized to elicit thiamethoxam-specific antisera. The hapten was 3-[2-(2-carboxyethylthio)-5-ylmethyl]-5-methyl-4-nitroimino-1,3,5-oxadiazinane. Antisera were characterized with indirect competitive ELISA. Cross-reactivity and effects of organic solvents, pH, and ionic strengths were evaluated. The antiserum was specific for thiamethoxam and tolerant of up to 5% acetonitrile and 5% acetone. Various ionic strengths and pH values in the tested ranges had negligible effect on the assay performance. Under the optimized conditions, the half-maximal inhibition concentration (IC(50)) and the limit of detection were approximately 9.0 and 0.1 microg/L of thiamethoxam, respectively. ELISA analysis of stream and tap water samples showed an excellent correlation with the fortification levels.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the insecticide imidacloprid

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed for imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide. Haptens were designed in such ways that spacer arms were introduced on either the pyridinyl or the imidazolidinyl ring of imidacloprid. Two sets of polyclonal antibodies were raised from rabbits immunized with two different immunogens and were characterized with an indirect ELISA format. Cross-reactivities and effects of organic solvents on the assays were evaluated. One set of antibodies shows approximately equal cross-reactivities to imidacloprid and its major metabolites with half-maximum inhibition concentrations (I(50)) of 73-88 ppb. Another is specific to imidacloprid with an I(50) of 35 ppb. The assay was initially applied to the analysis of imidacloprid in fortified water, coffee cherry, and bean extracts.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the pyrethroid deltamethrin

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of deltamethrin was developed. Two haptens, cyano[3-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]methyl 1R-cis-3-(2,2-dibromoethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate and 3-[(+/-)-cyano[1R-cis-3-(2,2-dibromoethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropan ecarbonyloxy]methyl]phenoxyacetic acid, were synthesized and conjugated with thyroglobulin as immunogens. Four antisera were generated and screened against six different coating antigens. The assay that was the most sensitive for deltamethrin was optimized and characterized. The I(50) for deltamethrin was 17.5 +/- 3.6 microg/L, and the lower detection limit was 1.1 +/- 0.5 microg/L. This ELISA assay had relatively low cross-reactivities with other major pyrethroids, such as permethrin, phenothrin, bioresmethrin, cyfluthrin, and cypermethrin. Methanol was found to be the best organic cosolvent for this ELISA, with optimal sensitivity observed at a concentration of 40% (v/v). The assay parameters were unchanged at pH values between 5.0 and 8.0, whereas higher ionic strengths strongly suppressed the absorbances. To increase the sensitivity of the overall method, a C(18) sorbent-based solid-phase extraction was used for river water samples. River water samples fortified with deltamethrin were analyzed according to this method. Good recoveries and correlation with spike levels were observed.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the pyrethroid permethrin

Permethrin is a predominant pyrethroid widely used in agriculture and public health. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of permethrin was developed. Two haptens, the trans- and cis-isomers of 3-(4-aminophenoxy)benzyl-3-(2, 2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, were synthesized and conjugated with thyroglobulin as immunogens. Four antisera were generated and screened against six different coating antigens. The resulting ELISA has an I(50) value of 2.50 microg/L and relatively low cross-reactivities with other major pyrethroids, such as esfenvalerate, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and cyfluthrin. Methanol was found to be the best solvent for this ELISA, with optimal sensitivity observed at a concentration of 40% (v/v). The assay parameters are unchanged at pH values between 5.0 and 8.0, whereas higher ionic strengths (>0.2 M PBS) strongly suppress the absorbances. River water samples fortified with permethrin were analyzed according to this method and validated by GC-MS. Good recoveries and correlation with spike levels were observed, suggesting this immunoassay is valuable for environmental monitoring and toxicological studies at parts per trillion levels of permethrin.     

Sensitive streptavidin-biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rapid screening of chloramphenicol residues in swine muscle tissue

A sensitive, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for chloramphenicol (CAP) in swine muscle tissue has been developed. The ELISA is based on an earlier procedure. To improve sensitivity, different optimization procedures were investigated. The introduction of a streptavidin-biotin system and the use of a coating antigen with a lower CAP incorporation resulted in the most sensitive ELISA: the CAP concentration giving 50% inhibition decreased from 125 ng/mL to 3.0 ng/mL. This ELISA procedure was applied for a rapid screening of CAP residues in swine muscle tissue. The tissues were extracted with demineralized water. A concentrated phosphate-buffered saline solution was added to the filtered aqueous extract and this sample solution was directly submitted to the ELISA procedure. The results were compared to values obtained by analysis of a corresponding blank. This blank was prepared by treating a part of the aqueous sample solution with an immobilized monoclonal antibody preparation. This treatment was necessary because aqueous extracts of different swine muscle tissues showed a high variation in dose-response curves, probably caused by the complexity and variability of the matrix. In spiked tissues, the presence of CAP at concentrations of 10 micrograms/kg and higher can be easily demonstrated.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of glyphosate

A competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI-ELISA) was developed to quantitate the herbicide glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] in water. The ELISA has a detection limit of 7.6 microg mL(-1) and a linear working range of 10-1000 microg mL(-1) with an IC(50) value of 154 microg mL(-1). The glyphosate polyclonal antisera did not cross-react with a number of other herbicides tested but did cross-react with the glyphosate metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid and a structurally related herbicide, glyphosine [(N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)glycine]. The assay was used to estimate, quantitatively with accuracy and precision, glyphosate concentrations in water samples. Water samples were analyzed directly, and no sample preparation was required. To improve detection limits, water samples were concentrated prior to analysis, resulting in the increase of the detection limits by 100-fold. After the sample preconcentration step, the detection limit improved to 0.076 microg mL(-1) with an IC(50) value of 1.54 microg mL(-1), and a linear working range was 0.1-10 microg mL(-1). Glyphosate concentrations determined by ELISA correlated well with those determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (r(2) = 0.99). This assay contributes to reducing the costs associated with conventional residue analysis techniques for the quantitation of glyphosate in water.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the organophosphorus insecticide bromophos-ethyl

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the quantitative detection of the organophosphorus insecticide bromophos-ethyl. Four bromophos-ethyl derivatives (haptens) were synthesized and were coupled to carrier proteins through the pesticide thiophosphate group to use as an immunogen or as a coating antigen. Rabbits were immunized with either one of two haptens coupled to bovine serum albumin for production of polyclonal antibodies, and the sera were screened against one of the haptens coupled to ovalbumin. Using the serum with highest titer, an antigen-coated ELISA was developed, which showed an IC(50) of 3.9 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.3 ng/mL (20% inhibition). An antibody-coated ELISA using an enzyme tracer was also developed, which showed an IC(50) of 6.5 ng/mL with a detection limit of 1.0 ng/mL (20% inhibition). The antibodies showed negligible cross-reactivity with other organophosphorus pesticides except with the insecticides bromophos-methyl and chlorpyrifos in the antibody-coated assay only. Recoveries of bromophos-ethyl from fortified crop and water samples ranged from 82 to 128% and from 95 to 127%, respectively.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitative determination of quizalofop-p-ethyl

Accurate quantification of quizalofop-p-ethyl is essential for it may do harm to humans and animals through both water and food. Currently, detection of quizalofop-p-ethyl mainly relies on methods such as gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Although these techniques are reliable, they are relatively expensive and time-consuming because of multistep sample cleanup. To address this, we developed a competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ciELISA) with a polyclonal antibody against quizalofop-p-ethyl that was generated in our lab. The IC(50) of detection was 0.03495 microg/mL, and the lowest detection limit reached 0.00192 microg/mL. Furthermore, the method had high specificity for it did not cross-react with other structure-related compounds. When water and soil samples that were fortified with quizalofop-p-ethyl were analyzed by this ELISA, recoveries were in the range of 89-110% from water and 81-108% from soil. Good correlations between this immunoassay and gas chromatography data were obtained for residues of quizalofop-p-ethyl in water and soil. Our data indicate that this method is a convenient analytical technique for monitoring quizalofop-p-ethyl in waters without extraction and the extra cleanup step and in soil without the cleanup step.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of dicamba

A competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI-ELISA) was developed to quantitate the herbicide dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) in water. The CI-ELISA has a detection limit of 2.3 microg L(-1) and a linear working range of 10--10000 microg L(-1) with an IC(50) value of 195 microg L(-1). The dicamba polyclonal antisera did not cross-react with a number of other herbicides tested but did cross-react with a dicamba metabolite, 5-hydroxydicamba, and structurally related chlorobenzoic acids. The assay was used to estimate quantitatively dicamba concentrations in water samples. Water samples were analyzed directly, and no sample preparation was required. To improve detection limits, a C(18) (reversed phase) column concentration step was devised prior to analysis, and the detection limits were increased by at least by 10-fold. After the sample preconcentration, the detection limit, IC(50), and linear working range were 0.23, 19.5, and 5-200 microg L(-1), respectively. The CI-ELISA estimations in water correlated well with those from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis (r(2) = 0.9991). This assay contributes to reducing laboratory costs associated with the conventional GC-MS residue analysis techniques for the quantitation of dicamba in water.