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Enzymes

Unleashing the Power of Receptor-Based Assay: Assessing the Feasibility of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay on Large-Scale Antibiotic Monitoring

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Beijing Normal University have reported on the effectiveness of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in detecting antibiotics in aquatic environments. The study highlights the need for high spatiotemporal resolution monitoring to better cope with the risks associated with antibiotic detection. ELISA offers a cost-effective alternative to mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, which are sensitive but complex, expensive, and time-consuming. The researchers found that ELISA is remarkably rapid, inexpensive, and ready-to-use, with a limit of detection as low as 0.125 ng/L when adopting solid phase extraction.

Key Takeaways:

  • ELISA is a sensitive and precise technique for detecting antibiotics in aquatic environments, with a limit of detection as low as 0.125 ng/L.
  • ELISA is a cost-effective alternative to MS techniques, with a capital cost ranging from $35,000 to $270,000 and a cost per test of $1.8.
  • ELISA is particularly notable for its high throughput analytical capabilities, with 3800-37,000 tests per day achievable.
  • The researchers suggest adopting solid phase extraction to decrease the limits of detection of ELISA.
  • A conservative approach is to use ELISA for initial screening of large numbers of samples, with subsequent quantification of a small proportion of 'positive' samples through MS methods.
  • The applicability of ELISA can be further improved by developing a standardized quantification procedure for ELISA and microfluid chip-based ELISA kits and instruments.
  • The study highlights the need for high spatiotemporal resolution monitoring in large-scale antibiotic detection.

Statistics:

  • ELISA has a limit of detection as low as 0.125 ng/L when adopting solid phase extraction.
  • ELISA can perform 3800-37,000 tests per day.
  • ELISA has a cost per test of $1.8.
  • The capital cost of ELISA ranges from $35,000 to $270,000.

Sources:

  • Unleashing the power of receptor-based assay on high-throughput detection: Assessing the feasibility of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on large-scale antibiotic monitoring. Emerging Contaminants, 2025,11(3):100511.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100511.

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