Direct-binding quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor to detect carp metallothionein

Metallothionein (MT) is a valuable biomarker against xenobiotic heavy metal contamination in organs and blood of fish. In this study, MT was induced in carp blood by cadmium injection and was purified to homogeneity by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange column chromatography to be used dually as a standard and immunogen. A sensitive detection on carp MT was then followed using a batch-type direct-binding quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor system installed with a well cell. Among antibody immobilization methods tested, two methods that were carried out via a heterobifunctional thiolation cross-linker, and via the cross-linker and protein G showed their respective advantages in simplicity and sensitivity. When analyzed using the immunosensor for carp MT in the concentration range of 50–4000 ng/mL, the limit of detection around 250 ng/mL was obtained. Based on its reasonable sensitivity and real-time presentation for the sensor signal, the immunosensor of this study was presumed as a screening tool to monitor possible heavy metal contamination in a fish farm and imported fish.