Lateral flow immunoassay for small-molecules detection in phytoproducts: a review

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology
• Pharmacognosy

Background:

• Phytoproducts are vital in various industries, with small-molecule organic compounds (Mw < 900 Da) indicating quality, efficacy, and safety.
• Assessing these compounds in complex plant matrices presents analytical challenges.
• Lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) is a promising technique due to its simplicity, portability, and speed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the general principles, components, formats, and applications of LFAs for analyzing phytoproducts.
• To highlight the utility of LFAs in quality control and safety assessment of plant-derived products.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on lateral flow immunoassay technology.
• Discussion of LFA principles, including antibody-antigen interactions and detection mechanisms.
• Exploration of different LFA formats and their suitability for various analytes.

Main Results:

• LFAs provide a rapid and accessible method for detecting specific small-molecule compounds in phytoproducts.
• The technology can be applied to assess both beneficial secondary metabolites and toxic adulterants.
• LFA development requires careful consideration of assay components and format for optimal performance.

Conclusions:

• Lateral flow immunoassay is a valuable tool for the quality and safety assessment of phytoproducts.
• LFAs offer a practical solution for on-site or at-home testing of plant-based products.
• Further development of LFA methods can enhance their application in the phytoproduct industry.