Direct analysis of trichloropyridinol in human saliva using an Au nanoparticles-based immunochromatographic test strip for biomonitoring of exposure to chlorpyrifos

Abstract

A portable immunochromatographic strip-based biosensor for direct detection of trichloropyridinol (TCP), a specific biomarker of exposure to chlorpyrifos, in human saliva sample is presented. In this approach, a series of immunoreactions was performed on the test strip, where the targeted analytes (TCP) bound to the Au nanoparticles-labeled antibodies on the conjugate pad to form analyte–Au–antibody conjugates, and then free Au-labeled antibodies were captured by TCP–BSA in the test zone. Captured Au nanoparticles, increased with decreased levels of analytes, can be observed visibly without any equipment and later quantified by a colorimetric reader. Several experimental parameters were optimized including Au nanoparticle-to-TCP antibody coupling ratio, the amount of Au-labeled TCP antibody, immunoreaction time, the pretreatment of sample pad and the preparation of stock solution of Au–TCP antibody that realize sensitivity, selectivity and direct detection of TCP. Under optimal conditions, this biosensor displays a highly linear range of 0.625–20ng/mL TCP, with a detection limit of 0.47ng/mL. Moreover, the immunosensor was successfully used for direct analysis of human saliva sample without any pretreatment. These results demonstrate that this Au nanoparticles-based immunochromatographic test strip (ITS) provides a simple, accurate, and quantitative tool for TCP detection and holds a great promise for point-of-care and in-field analysis of other biomarkers.