Nanocolloidal gold-based immunoassay for the detection of the N-methylcarbamate pesticide carbofuran.

Nanocolloidal gold particles were prepared and labeled to an anti-carbofuran monoclonal antibody (Mab). This conjugate was dispensed on the conjugated pad of a porous glass fiber. Ovalbumin (OVA)-carbofuran and goat anti-mouse IgG were dispensed on the nitrocellulose (NC) membrane and served as the test line and control line, respectively. The carbofuran-containing sample migrated to the NC membrane and reacted with the anti-carbofuran Mab labeled with the colloidal gold. The mixture diffused along the membrane and passed through the OVA-carbofuran in the test line via capillary action. The more analyte present in the sample, the more effectively it will compete with the carbofuran immobilized on the test line for binding to the limited amount of antibody labeled with colloidal gold. An adequate amount of carbofuran could prevent attachment of the colored conjugate to the test line. The presence or absence of a colored band on the test line could indicate a negative or positive result, respectively. When measured to the water sample spiked with carbofuran, this was obtained at or above 0.25 mg/L of carbofuran. The major advantages of the one-step strip test are that the detection time needed was <10 min and all of the reagents are included in the test device.