Determination of biotin and folate in infant formula and milk by optical biosensor-based immunoassay

Biomolecular interaction analysis was evaluated for the automated analysis of biotin- and folate-supplemented infant formulas and milk powders. The technique was configured as a biosensor-based, nonlabeled inhibition immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies raised against analyte-conjugate. Sample extraction conditions were optimized and antibodies were evaluated for cross-reactivity. Performance parameters included a quantitation range of 2-70 ng/mL, recoveries of 86-102%, agreement against assigned reference values for National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1846, between-laboratory reproducibility relative standard deviation of 9.1% for biotin and 8.1% for folate, respectively, and equivalence against reference microbiological assay methods for both analytes.