Fluorescence-based sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) using a multi-channeled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microimmunosensor

Sensors (Basel). 2010;10(1):876-89. doi: 10.3390/s100100876. Epub 2010 Jan 22.

Abstract

Fluorescence immunoassays employing monoclonal antibodies directed against the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) were conducted in a multi-channel microimmunosensor. The multi-channel microimmunosensor was prepared in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) via hot embossing from a brass molding tool. The multi-channeled microfluidic device was sol-gel coated to generate a siloxane surface that provided a scaffold for antibody immobilization. AlexaFluor-cadaverine-trinitrobenzene (AlexaFluor-Cad-TNB) was used as the reporter molecule in a displacement immunoassay. The limit of detection was 1-10 ng/mL (ppb) with a linear dynamic range that covered three orders of magnitude. In addition, antibody crossreactivity was investigated using hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), HMX, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT) and 2-amino-4,6-DNT.

Keywords: PMMA; TNT; antibody; fluorescence; immunosensor; microchannel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Miniaturization
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Transducers*
  • Trinitrotoluene / analysis*

Substances

  • Trinitrotoluene
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate