High-throughput fluorescence polarization immunoassay by using a portable fluorescence polarization imaging analyzer

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Mycotoxin detection is crucial for food safety and requires sensitive, high-throughput methods.
• Existing methods can be costly and time-consuming, limiting on-site applications.
• Fluorescence polarization immunoassays (FPIAs) offer a sensitive detection principle.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a portable, cost-effective fluorescence polarization analyzer for high-throughput mycotoxin detection.
• To validate the system's capability for simultaneous and high-throughput FPIA measurements.
• To assess the potential for automated sample reaction and detection.

Main Methods:

• High-throughput FPIAs were performed using a portable fluorescence polarization (FP) analyzer integrated with a microdevice.
• Simultaneous FPIA measurements were conducted for 8 deoxynivalenol (DON) concentrations across 12 chambers (96 samples).
• High-throughput FPIA measurements were performed for single DON concentrations in over 500 chambers using FP imaging.

Main Results:

• The portable FP analyzer, costing under $5000 and with a 1 nL sample volume, successfully enabled simultaneous FPIA for 96 samples.
• High-throughput FPIA measurements for over 500 samples were demonstrated using FP imaging.
• The system's portability and low cost are suitable for on-site measurement and point-of-care testing.

Conclusions:

• The developed portable FP analyzer offers a cost-effective, high-throughput solution for mycotoxin detection.
• FP imaging enables simultaneous and high-throughput FPIA, expanding applications in diagnostics and molecular interaction studies.
• Future automation of sample reaction and detection is anticipated, further enhancing its utility.