Comparison of ELISA and capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection in the analysis of Ochratoxin A in low volumes of human blood serum

In this paper the determination of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in low volumes of human blood serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is compared with an appropriate capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) method. In order to use ELISA for high-throughput analysis in epidemiological studies no sample cleanup was performed. Both methods showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 ng/mL. Comparing the precisions of both methods, the data show that the quantified concentrations in ELISA are higher than the corresponding concentrations in the CE-LIF method. Using a matrix calibration curve instead of a standard calibration curve the reproducibilities of both methods are comparable. No additional matrix effect could be observed by adding phenylalanine as probable matrix compound to the serum.