Rapid and sensitive detection of metal chelator ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid

A colloidal gold-labeled monoclonal antibody nano-probe for metal chelator ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) was synthesized. Based on the probe, an immunochromatographic assay that was highly sensitive, convenient, and one-step competitive to detect EDTA, was developed. Then the immunochromatographic assay was applied for the detection of water samples. The goat anti-mouse IgG was immobilized on the nitrocellulose membrane as a control line. And the detection conjugate (isothiocyanobenzyl-EDTA-BSA) was immobilized on the nitrocellulose membrane as a detection line. EDTA in water samples would compete with the immobilized isothiocyanobenzyl-EDTA-BSA to bind with the colloidal gold probe. The visual detection limit of EDTA was detected to be about one ppm. The immunochromatographic assay in the present study does not need any equipment and complicated sample preparation and can be performed within 10 min. The EDTA concentrations in local water samples were successfully detected by the immunochromatographic assay, which is rapid, low cost, and suitable for testing on-site.