Development of immunochromatographic strips for the detection of dicofol

Abstract

In this study, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against dicofol was developed to prepare immunochromatographic strips (ICAs) for the detection of dicofol residues in fruit and vegetables. The mAb exhibited high affinity and high sensitivity, with an affinity constant of 2.96 × 10¹⁰ and a limit of detection of 3.142 ng mL⁻¹. A cross reactivity test revealed that the mAb also had good specificity for dicofol. This ICA method gave a visible limit of detection of 50 ng g⁻¹, and a cut-off value of 500 ng g⁻¹ for the detection of dicofol in both apple and cucumber with the naked eye. Importantly, the results here are consistent with results obtained using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and ic-ELISAs indicating that this ICA method is reliable and practical when used for the detection of dicofol in fruit and vegetables.