An improved RT-IPCR for detection of pyrene and related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous homogeneous chemicals which are well known by carcinogens, mutagens and endocrine disorder. Here, an improved real-time immuno-PCR (RT-IPCR) was developed for detection of pyrene and its homologs in water samples. The PAHs in sample compete with pyrene-modified DNA to bind with monoclonal antibody (McAb) coated on PCR plate. The reporter DNA was exponentially amplified by real-time PCR instrument using Fast Start universal SYBR Green Master (ROX) kit. Only two reaction steps were needed to accomplish the detection. The assay had a good linear range from 5 pmol L−1 to 5 nmol L−1 with a detection limit of 3.5 pmol L−1. For application assay, the average recoveries from tap water, lake water and mineral water were 98.4%, 98.2% and 99.7%, respectively which showed a good correlation (R2=0.9906) with those from GC-MS. The results indicated that the improved RT-IPCR seems to be a potential method for simple and ultrasensitive detection of pyrene and some homologues in environment water samples.