A CONDUCTIVE POLYMER-BASED IMMUNOSENSOR FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDE-RESIDUES

Testing for pesticide residues today requires highly trained personnel, sophisticated laboratory instruments, and time measured in days. The traditional approach utilizes GLC and HPLC technology and these require extensive sample preparation procedures that lead to high costs and long turnaround times. The development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that uses electroconductive polythiophene as the solid support (a biosensor) is described. Based on initial studies with electroconductive polyacetylene, the polythiophene biosensor is expected to reach sensitivities in the low parts per billion. Formats capable of detecting a range of pesticide residues in food and soil samples as well as in ground water are under consideration. A miniature field portable assay system is envisioned.