A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by antibody coated for diethyl phthalate analysis

A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for detection of diethyl phthalate (DEP). Protein–hapten conjugate was synthesized to produce polyclonal antibodies against DEP. Experimental parameters were optimized, including immunoreaction conditions, the dilution ratio of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)–antigen conjugate, time of the antibody coated, effect of pH, and ionic strength. The limit of detection was 0.096 ng/ml, and the linear range was 0.1–3500 ng/ml with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.9957. Recoveries were between 96.4 and 106.2%. The cross-reactivities of the anti-DEP antibody to six structurally related phthalate esters were less than 9%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of DEP in tap water, river water (Yangtze River), and leachate from plastic drinking bottles. This immunoassay was highly specific, sensitive, rapid, simple, and suitable for DEP monitoring. The results obtained were compared with those obtained using the high-performance liquid chromatography method.