Optical immunosensor for fast and sensitive detection of DDT and related compounds in river water samples

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based immunosensor has been developed for the monitoring of environmentally persistent pollutants like DDT, its metabolites and analogues in real water samples. A reusable immunosurface is provided via the covalent attachment of the analyte derivative to a self-assembled alkanethiol monolayer formed onto the SPR gold-thin layer. The regeneration of the sensor surface allowed the performance of 270 assay cycles within an analysis time of 20 min for each assay cycle. Immunoassays based on a binding inhibition format were performed by using two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with different selectivity. Low limits of detection (LODs), in the sub-nanogram per litre range, were attained for DDT-selective (15 ng L−1) and DDT group-selective immunoassays (31 ng L−1). Both assays were carried out in spiked river water samples without significant effect of the matrix. SPR measurements were validated using gas-chromatography–mass spectrometry. The comparison between methods was in good agreement showing an excellent correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.995). The SPR analysis of DDT proved to be three times more sensitive than colorimetric ELISAs without the need of labelling and a much lower time of response. Our SPR biosensor portable platform (β-SPR) is already commercialised by the company SENSIA, S.L. (Spain).