Detection of nodularin based on a monoclonal antibody in water and aquatic fish samples

In order to detect nodularin (NOD) from water and fish samples, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for NOD was selected which has no cross-reactivity with other toxins (<0.4%). Based on the mAb, a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. The working range of the ELISA was from 0.5 to 100 ng mL−1 with a detection limits of 0.16 ng mL−1. The average recoveries of NOD from sea water, flounder and blue mussels were 87.8%, 90.7% and 86.9%, respectively with the coefficients of variation (CVs) from 2.1% to 3.2%. Therefore, the developed competitive ELISA may become a new convenient and satisfied analytical tool for detecting of NOD in water and fish samples.