A novel multiplexed fluorescence polarisation immunoassay based on a recombinant bi-specific single-chain diabody for simultaneous detection of fluoroquinolones and sulfonamides in milk

Abstract

Major research efforts are focusing on the development of simultaneous multiplexed immunoassays. In this study, a novel dual-binding fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (DB-FPIA) using a broad-specificity bi-specific single-chain diabody (scDb) and two fluorescent-labelled tracers (sulfamethoxypyridazine-fluorescein isothiocyanate (SMP-FITC) and sarafloxacin-Texas Red (SAR-TR)) with different excitation and emission wavelengths was developed for simultaneous and high-throughput detection of 19 fluoroquinolones (FQs) and 13 sulfonamides (SAs) at the maximum residue limits in milk samples. Recoveries for spiked milk samples were from 76.4% to 128.4%, with a relative standard deviation lower than 13.9%. The developed DB-FPIA was then applied to field samples, followed by confirmation by LC-MS/MS. All three instances in which FQs and SAs were present at concentrations near or above the assay limit of detection were identified as positive by the developed DB-FPIA, demonstrating that the method is suitable for rapid screening of FQs and SAs contamination. The novel methodology combines the advantage of the FPIA and the broad sensitivity of scDb and shows great promise for fast multi-analyte screening of low-molecular weight chemical residues in food samples.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• fluoroquinolones
• sulfonamides
• bi-specific single-chain diabody
• fluorescence polarisation
• milk

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the cooperation of other faculty members in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the College of Veterinary Medicine at China Agricultural University. Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.