Immunochemical Detection of Environmental and Food Contaminants: Development, Validation and Application

Eline P. Meulenberg

ELTI Support, Drieskensacker 12-10, 6546 MH Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Article history:
Received June 16, 1997
Accepted October 13, 1997

Key words:
immunoassay, antibody production, food and environmental contaminants

Summary:
Immunochemical methods, in particular immunoassays are very suitable for the detection of contaminants in environmental and food samples. The principles of immunoassay, components required and possible variants are discussed. Further, strategies for their designing, optimalizing and validating are given. Immunoassays are useful tools in screening and monitoring programmes due to the fact thai they allow rapid analysis of target compounds in several matrices at a very low level. An updated overview is given of target substances of natural and synthetic origin for which immunoassays have been developed. Their applicability is illustrated by examples from field studies. Consideration is given to recent developments in in vitro antibody production and the establishment of norms.