Detection of four phenolic oestrogens by a novel electrochemical immunosensor based on a hexestrol monoclonal antibody

Abstract

Using a sandwich-type immunoassay, a novel electrochemical immunosensor based on the successful preparation of a hexestrol (HEX) monoclonal antibody was successfully constructed to detect four phenolic oestrogens: HEX, diethylstilboestrol (DES), dienestrol (DE) and bisphenol A (BPA). An innovative strategy to design the HEX monoclonal antibody/mercapto acetic acid (MACA)/nanogold immunosensor was developed by combining a nanosized effect, self-assembly and specific immune technology. The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) response for four phenolic oestrogens was in the order BPA > DE > HEX > DES with detection limits of 0.037, 0.047, 0.052 and 0.060 ng mL⁻¹, respectively (S/N = 3). This immunosensor exhibits superior electrochemical properties with a wide linear range, low detection limit, excellent reproducibility and high selectivity. Compared with a high-performance liquid chromatography method, a high accuracy of DES detection in beef, duck and milk powder samples was achieved by the immunosensor proposed, which exhibits great potential for the detection of phenolic oestrogens in applications in environmental and food safety.