Grantee Research Project Results
1998 Progress Report: Development of Field-Portable Chromatographic Immunoassays
EPA Grant Number: R826253Title: Development of Field-Portable Chromatographic Immunoassays
Investigators: Hage, David S.
Institution: University of Nebraska at Lincoln
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2000
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1999
Project Amount: $277,762
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Chemistry (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Land and Waste Management , Air , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
Immunoassay methods are receiving a great deal of attention for environmental testing due to their selectivity, low cost and ease of use. However, most current immunoassays for pesticides and pollutants are based on manual methods that have only moderate precision and difficulties in differentiating between the analyte of interest and related compounds. Recent studies suggest that these problems can be overcome by using high-performance immunoaffinity chromatography (HPIAC) coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). This work will explore the development of field-portable systems that use this approach. The overall goal of this work is to design portable and multi-analyte HPIAC/RPLC systems that can be used in field testing for environmental analysis. The specific objectives will be 1) design and evaluation of a field-portable system for the HPIAC/RPLC analysis of atrazine and related triazine compounds, 2) modification of the field-portable system for the simultaneous detection of atrazine and 2,4-D (or alachlor) by mixed-bed HPIAC columns, and 3) development and evaluation of a multiple HPIAC column method for the simultaneous analysis of atrazine, alachlor and 2,4-D by the field-portable system.Progress Summary:
Initial construction has been completed on a prototype, field-portable HPIAC/RPLC system for atrazine and triazine herbicides. Current work is focussed on optimizing the column and separation conditions of this model for detection of triazine compounds in 10 min or less at the low ppb levels. We have identified some new RPLC columns that can be used to improve the speed of our previous system and have developed software that allows to simultaneously control and collect data from this system using a laptop computer. A field-portable generator has been acquired for this system and actual field tests should begin within the next 1-2 months. We have also obtained some antibodies against 2,4-D. These antibodies are now being purified and immobilized onto chromatographic supports. These antibodies will then be used this summer along with our anti-atrazine antibodies as we begin to explore the modification of our field portable system for multi-analyte detection.Future Activities:
During this summer's field studies we will evaluate the triazine detection system and determine what changes in the instrument need to be made for faster or more robust performance. For increased speed, we are now considering the use of protein A or protein columns to reversible adsorb our antibodies; this should greatly decrease the amount of analysis time that is required since analyte elution from the immobilized antibodies appears to be our current rate-limiting step. Methods for solvent recycling or minimizing solvent consumption by this system are also being considered. Work with the simultaneous detection of triazine herbicides and 2,4-D will begin and should lead to the development of a multi-analyte prototype system by the end of the year. Field studies with this other system will then begin next Spring.Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 15 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
liquid chromatography, immunoassay, triazines, 2,4-D, alachlor, field-portable analytical methods, Toxics, Air, pesticides, Contaminant Candidate List, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, liquid chromatography, field portable systems, solutes, triazine, triazine compounds, Triazines, human exposure, Alachlor ESA, atrazine, multi-analyte systems, chromatographic immunoassays, alachlorProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.