Application of ELISA in Cultural Heritage: Recent Advances and Challenges

Organic residue analyses have long been the primary focus and challenge in the fields of scientific archaeology and cultural heritage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has emerged as a valuable method for detecting organic residues owing to its high sensitivity and specificity. Organic components have been observed within four categories of archaeological artifacts: mortars, adhesives, animal and plant remains, and daily use artifacts. Therefore, in this article, we critically analyzed the advantages and limitations of ELISA in detecting organic residues by tracking its recent application in the abovementioned categories. The current focus of ELISA applications is on the preparation of customized antibodies, development of multicomponent detection methods, and meeting on-site identification demands. Additionally, understanding organic residue degradation mechanisms and the proper handling of archaeological samples are also key factors in these applications. Integration of ELISA with biomolecular science and electrochemistry has allowed the development of comprehensive detection and analyses. In the future, ELISA will be capable of handling more complex and diverse analyses, revealing highly intricate information from archaeological samples.