Comparison of a direct ELISA and an HPLC method for glyphosate determinations in water

A competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods were compared in terms of accuracy and precision for the detection and quantification of glyphosate-spiked Nanopure, tap, and river waters. The ELISA had a detection limit of 0.6 ng mL(-)(1) and a linear working range of 1-25 ng mL(-)(1), whereas the HPLC method had a detection limit of 50 ng mL(-)(1) and a linear working range of 100-10000 ng mL(-)(l). No statistically significant differences (95% confidence interval) were found between the ELISA and HPLC analysis of the three water matrixes. The coefficients of variation obtained with the ELISA in tap water were between 10 and 19%, whereas the coefficients of variation for the HPLC analysis were between 7 and 15%. The use of ELISA for the analysis of glyphosate in water is a cost-effective and reliable method capable of meeting water quality guidelines established for Europe and North America.