FLOW INJECTION IMMUNOANALYSIS (FIIA) FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDES IN WATER

Abstract

The principle of a heterogeneous competitive enzyme immunoassay was applied to a flow injection system. This flow injection immunoassay (FIIA) can be run automatically. Antibodies to the triazine herbicide atrazin were immobilized on membranes. Antibody containing membranes were mounted in a cross-flow reactor and changed after each assay. In the assay atrazin competed with an atrazin-peroxidase conjugate for the antibody binding sites. The product of the enzyme reaction was measured fluorimetrically. One assay is completed within 15 minutes. Sensitivities of the FIIA proved similar to the ELISA and depended mainly on the properties of the antibodies and conjugation strategies. The potential and limitations of the FIIA system will be discussed.