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New Technology Enables Highly Sensitive Detection of Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs
A team of researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has introduced an innovative approach called competitive dual-channel color-tone change fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (CFICA). This new method aims to enhance the detection of pesticide and veterinary drug residues with remarkable sensitivity.
According to Assistant Professor Wang Shu, a key member of the research team, this technology facilitates ultrasensitive measurement, which is essential given the dangers posed by excessive use of pesticides and antibiotics. These substances can lead to serious health issues, including neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and even cancer. Thus, advancements in affordable and efficient detection technologies are vital for ensuring food safety and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Immunochromatographic assays (ICA) are gaining attention as they offer rapid, on-site detection capabilities that are both low-cost and user-friendly. However, their application has been limited when it comes to identifying trace levels of small molecules due to their insufficient sensitivity and semi-quantitative outputs.
In this groundbreaking research, the team utilized polyethylenimine (PEI) self-assembly technology to create silica core double-layer quantum dot shell composites that emit three distinct colors: red, green, and blue. For the detection process, green and blue fluorescent labels acted as probes, while the red labels served to encapsulate the other probes. This strategic design paved the way for the competitive dual-channel CFICA.
The effectiveness of this new system was demonstrated through its ability to detect the antibiotic kanamycin (KAN) and the fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) in various real-world samples, including milk, tea, lake water, and soil. Notably, this method exhibits sensitivity levels that are at least 100 times greater than the regulatory maximum residue limits (MRLs) typically accepted today.
Additionally, the researchers developed a handheld fluorescence reader to allow for accurate, quantitative measurements of the multicolor signals generated by the CFICA strips, further enhancing its practical application potential.
“We believe this system has strong potential for practical applications,” Wang Shu expressed, highlighting the promising future of this technology in various contexts.
More information: Zhenmei Wang et al, A novel competitive color-tone change fluorescence immunochromatographic assay for the ultrasensitive detection of pesticide and veterinary drug residues, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2024.136125
Provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Citation: Novel system for highly sensitive detection of small molecule pollutants in food and the environment (2024, August 2) retrieved 2 August 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-08-highly-sensitive-small-molecule-pollutants.html
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