Sol-Gel-Based Enzymatic Assays And Immunoassays For Residue Analysis

A novel technology based on the entrapment of biomolecules in a ceramic SiO2 sol-gel matrix has been developed. The technology was used to entrap enzymes and antibodies for use as pesticide and pollutant sensors and immunochromatographic materials. Three systems were studied: (i) sol-gel-entrapped esterases for monitoring organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticides; (ii) sol-gel- entrapped anti-atrazine monoclonal antibodies for immune-affinity purification of s-triazine herbicides present as contaminants in soil and water; and (iii) sol-gel-en-trapped anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) polyclonal antiserum for clean up and concentration of nitroaromatic pollutants from agricultural and environmental samples. The characteristics of the sol-gel-entrapped enzymes and antibodies are presented.