Development of an automated flow‐based spectrophotometric immunoassay for continuous detection of zearalenone.

Considering the widespread contaminations of food products with mycotoxins, it is important to develop, robust, time‐ and cost‐effective detection methods. We developed and optimized an immunoassay using a continuous flow system for the detection of zearalenone (ZEN). The assay was performed in a flow mode using an automated sequential injection system. Time for an assay cycle was 18 Min. Under optimal conditions, the limit for quantification for ZEN was 0.40 µg L−1 with a linear dependency between concentration and signal amplitude between 0.10 and 10 µg L−1. The assay proved to be robust and reliable with 13% relative standard deviation between measurements. By dissociating the antigen–antibody complex using a regeneration solution, we showed 50 times reusability of the immobilized antibodies without affecting the antigen‐binding properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]