A Dipstick-Type Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Detection of the Insecticide Fenitrothion in Food Samples

A Dipstick-Type Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Detection of the Insecticide Fenitrothion in Food Samples

In a previous study, we obtained polyclonal antibodies against the organophosphorus insecticide fenitrothion and developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for this pesticide. Using these antibodies and an enzyme tracer, a direct competitive ELISA method specific for fenitrothion using a dipstick format was developed. Dipstick ELISA using antibodies to fenitrothion immobilized on an Immunodyne membrane allowed the quick visual detection of fenitrothion at concentrations above $10\;{\mu}g/L$. The $IC_{50}$ value of dipstick ELISA using reflectance detection was $27\;{\mu}g/L$ with a detection limit of $2\;{\mu}g/L$. The recovery of fenitrothion from spiked lettuce and rice samples using the dipstick ELISA ranged from 87-107%.