Compact quantitative optic fiber-based immunoarray biosensor for rapid detection of small analytes

Immunoarrays have been proven to be powerful tools for high-throughput analysis of multiple analytes. In this paper, a proof-of-concept development of a novel optic fiber-based immunoarray biosensor for the detection of multiple small analytes is presented. This was developed through immobilization of two kinds of hapten conjugates, MC-LR-OVA and NB-OVA, onto the same fiber optic probe.

The technique is significantly different from conventional immunoarray sensors. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and trinitrotoluene (TNT) could be detected simultaneously and specifically within an analysis time of about 10 min for each assay cycle. The limits of detection for MC-LR and TNT were 0.04 μg/L and 0.09 mg/L, respectively.

Good regeneration performance, binding properties, and robustness of the sensor surface of the proposed immunoarray biosensor ensure the cost-effective and accurate measurement of small analytes. The change in concentration of the hapten conjugates immobilized onto the sensor surface was also proven to have no significant effection on the performance of immunoarray sensor, which is essential to the application of the immunoarray in real samples detection.

This compact and portable quantitative immunoarray provides an excellent multiple assay platform for clinical and environmental samples.