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.