Immunoassay Methods for Measuring Atrazine and 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-Pyridinol in Foods

This chapter describes the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods for the analysis of two potential environmental contaminants in food sample media: atrazine and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (3,5,6-TCP). Two different immunoassay formats are employed: a magnetic particle immunoassay testing kit and a 96-microwell plate immunoassay. Diluted, filtered, nonfat baby foods were analyzed directly by a commercial magnetic particle immunoassay testing kit for the determination of atrazine. Fatty baby foods were extracted with water for the magnetic particle immunoassay analysis of atrazine. For 3,5,6-TCP analysis, the food samples from a duplicate diet exposure study were analyzed by a laboratory-based 96-microwell plate immunoassay. Acidic methanol (72% methanol, 26% water, and 2% acetic acid) was the solvent for the food samples.