High sensitive gold-nanoparticle based lateral flow Immunodevice for Cd2+ detection in drinking waters

In this work for first time a lateral flow immunosensor device (LFID) for Cd(2+) determination in drinking and tap waters using the Cd-EDTA-BSA-AuNP conjugate as signal producer tool is introduced. The principle of working is based on competitive reaction between the Cd-EDTA-BSA-AuNP conjugate deposited on the conjugation pad strip and the Cd-EDTA complex formed in the analysis sample for the same binding sites of the 2A81G5 monoclonal antibody, specific to Cd-EDTA but not Cd(2+) free, which is immobilized onto the test line. The device has a large response range within 0.4-2000ppb, being the linear response between 0.4 and 10ppb. The quantification and detection limits of 0.4 and 0.1ppb, respectively, represent the lowest ones reported so far for paper based metal sensors. The obtained detection limit is 50 times lower than the maximum contamination level required for drinking water. Here we also show a new option for increasing the sensibility in the LFDs with competitive format, through the decreasing in concentrations of the Cd-EDTA-BSA-AuNP conjugate deposited in the conjugation strip and the mAbs deposited in the test and control zones until to reach optimized concentrations. It is an important result take into account that the increase in sensibility is one of the challenges in the field of LFD sensors, where are focused many of the ongoing researches. In addition, a specificity study of the device for several metal interferences, where potential metal interferences are masked with the use of the EDTA and OVA optimized concentrations, is presented too.