Grantee Research Project Results
AccuMeter Rapid Test for Methyl-Tertiary Butyl Ether in Aqueous Samples
EPA Contract Number: 68D98135Title: AccuMeter Rapid Test for Methyl-Tertiary Butyl Ether in Aqueous Samples
Investigators: Patterson, Thomas G.
Small Business: ChemTrack Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1998 through March 1, 1999
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
This SBIR project involves the development of a rapid test for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in aqueous samples using the AccuMeter immunochromatography technology. Two haptens containing MTBE in different molecular orientations will be chemically synthesized and the resulting compounds conjugated to carrier proteins (KLH, BSA). Antibodies to MTBE will be raised by using the hapten-KLH conjugate as an immunogen. The antibodies produced will be purified by affinity chromatography using the hapten-BSA conjugate immobilized to a chromatography matrix. The specificity and avidity of the purified antibodies will be determined by ELISA assay. A prototype lateral flow rapid test using AccuMeter technology will be produced, with an initial goal of demonstrating feasibility to detect at least 100 ppb MTBE in aqueous samples. With the increasing use of gasoline containing significant quantities of MTBE as an oxygenate to reduce carbon monoxide emissions, accumulation of this water soluble, potentially carcinogenic, and minimally biodegradable compound in water sources is of increasing concern. The need to detect MTBE quickly, cheaply, and accurately in a variety of aqueous samples makes the development of an AccuMeter MTBE test for aqueous samples an attractive commercial target.Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, monitoring, analytical, engineering, chemistry, EPA., Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Toxics, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Chemistry, Contaminant Candidate List, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Analytical Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, New/Innovative technologies, gasoline, assays, innovative technologies, detect, measurement, MTBE, chromatography, immunoassay, immunochromatography, innovative technologyProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.