Au@PtPd enhanced immunoassay with 3D printed smartphone device for quantification of diaminochlorotriazine (DACT), the major atrazine biomarker

Increased use of pesticides in agriculture requires new advanced techniques to monitor both environmental levels and human exposure of pesticides to avoid potential adverse health outcomes in sensitive populations. Atrazine is widely used to control broadleaf weeds, and here we developed a new sensor capable of detecting diaminochlorotriazine (DACT), the major metabolite and biomarker of atrazine exposure. We established an Au@PtPd nanoparticles labeled lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for immunochromatographic based rapid detection of urinary DACT. The detection was based on competitive immunoassay between the analyte and the BSA-conjugated antigen. As evaluated, the coupled mesoporous core-shell Au@PtPd nanoparticles, with superior peroxidase-like activity, as the signal indicator offers a rapid direct chromatographic readout inversely correlated with the concentration of analytes, providing a detection limit of 0.7 ng/mL for DACT. Moreover, the detection limits were boosted to as low as 11 pg/mL with the detectable range from 10 pg/ml to 10 ng/mL, through a one-step catalytic chromogenic reaction. A rapid readout device was developed by 3D printing to provide a stable real-time quantification of the color intensity capable of assessing both chromatographic and absorbance results. This Au@PtPd nanoparticle-based immunosensing platform, as well as the 3D printed readout device, provide a promising tool for on-site and ultrasensitive detection of pesticide biomarkers.