An immunoassay for ochratoxin A using tetramethylrhodamine-labeled ochratoxin A as a probe based on a binding-induced change in fluorescence intensity

Analyst. 2020 Jan 20;145(2):651-655. doi: 10.1039/c9an01879d.

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that can cause health risks to human/animal health. Contamination by OTA can occur in various foods and agricultural products, so sensitive and rapid detection of OTA is crucial. We describe a simple and sensitive fluorescence immunoassay for OTA using tetramethylrhodamine (TMR)-labeled OTA as a fluorescent probe. We conjugated tetramethylrhodamine to OTA through a covalent reaction, and obtained three TMR-OTA isomer probes after purification by high-performance liquid chromatography. All of the fluorescent probes showed high binding affinity to the anti-OTA antibody. Binding of the TMR-OTA probe to the antibody induced strong fluorescence of TMR-OTA due to the possible change in the local environment of TMR caused by affinity binding. In the presence of OTA, the OTA target competitively displaced the bound TMR-OTA probe from the antibody, causing a decrease in fluorescence. Measuring the change in fluorescence enabled rapid detection of OTA. This method was selective and allowed the detection of 1 nM OTA, showing potential for rapid OTA analysis in applications.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Fluorescence
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Ochratoxins / analysis*
  • Ochratoxins / immunology
  • Ochratoxins / metabolism
  • Rhodamines / metabolism*
  • Wine / analysis*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Ochratoxins
  • Rhodamines
  • ochratoxin A
  • tetramethylrhodamine