Abstract
Abrin is a natural plant toxin found in the seeds of Abrus precatorius. It may be used for food poisoning or bioterrorism, seriously endangering public health. In this study, a reliable method for the rapid detection of abrin in foods was developed, based on an up-converting phosphor technology-based lateral flow assay (abrin-UPT-LFA). Nine high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against abrin were prepared, and the optimum mAbs (mAb-6F4 and mAb-10E11) were selected for use in the assay in double-antibody-sandwich mode. The assay was confirmed to be specific for abrin, with a detection sensitivity of 0.1 ng mL−1 for standard abrin solutions. Good linearity was observed for abrin quantitation from 0.1 to 1000 ng mL−1 (r = 0.9983). During the analysis of various abrin-spiked food samples, the assay showed strong sample tolerance and a satisfactory limit of detection for abrin (0.5–10 ng g−1 for solid and powdered samples; 0.30–0.43 ng mL−1 for liquid samples). The analysis of suspected food samples, from sample treatment to result feed-back, could be completed by non-professionals within 20 min. Therefore, the abrin-UPT-LFA is a rapid, sensitive, and reliable method for the on-site detection of abrin in foods.
Highlights
Nine specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against abrin were prepared with fine quantities and ELISA titers
The signal intensities for the test line and the control line are defined as the T value and C value, respectively; the ratio between the T value and C value (T/C) is the measurement result
For a 50 kg adult, only when he consume at least 15 kg of sugar contaminated with abrin at a concentration of 10.0 ng g−1, the ingested abrin could reach the dose of LD50 [150 μgabrin]). These results demonstrate that the abrin-UPT-lateral flow assay (LFA) has excellent sample tolerance and satisfied LODs for abrin in food samples
Summary
The colloidal gold-based lateral flow assay (LFA), provides a very simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for the on-site detection of abrin[18,19,20]. Compared with the colloidal gold-based LFAs, the up-converting phosphor technology-based lateral flow assay (UPT-LFA) can more sensitively and accurately quantitatively detect compounds in real samples[21]. UPT-LFA is a new emerging type of LFAs in the last two decades, which uses up-converting phosphors (UCPs) instead of colloidal gold as the reporter. There is little environmental interference to the detecting signals when they are used as the reporter in LFAs. Studies have demonstrated the usefulness of UCP reporters in LFAs, and the assay sensitivity can be improved 10–100-fold compared with that of colloidal gold[21]. The assay presents strong sample tolerance for different foodstuffs, demonstrating its suitability for the rapid on-site detection of abrin
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
