Rapid detection and quantification of the marine toxic algae, Alexandrium minutum, using a super-paramagnetic immunochromatographic strip test

Type Article
Date 2016-01
Language English
Author(s) Gas Fabienne1, Baus Beatrice1, Quere Julien2, Chapelle Annie2, Dreanno CatherineORCID3
Affiliation(s) 1 : CEA Marcoule, Direct Sci Vivant, Lab Innovat Technol Detect & Diagnost, F-30200 Bagnols Sur Ceze, France.
2 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Dyneco Pelagos, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
3 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Lab Detect Capteurs & Mesures, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
Source Talanta (0039-9140) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2016-01 , Vol. 147 , P. 581-589
DOI 10.1016/j.talanta.2015.10.036
WOS© Times Cited 21
Keyword(s) Alexandrium minutum, Detection, Quantification, Dipstick lateral flow immunoassay, Super-paramagnetic
Abstract The dinoflagellates of Alexandrium genus are known to be producers of paralytic shellfish toxins that regularly impact the shellfish aquaculture industry and fisheries. Accurate detection of Alexandrium including A. minutum is crucial for environmental monitoring and sanitary issues. In this study, we firstly developed a quantitative lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) using super-paramagnetic nanobeads for A. minutum whole cells. This dipstick assay relies on two distinct monoclonal antibodies used in a sandwich format and directed against surface antigens of this organism. No sample preparation is required. Either frozen or live cells can be detected and quantified. The specificity and sensitivity are assessed by using phytoplankton culture and field samples spiked with a known amount of cultured A. minutum cells. This LFIA is shown to be highly specific for A. minutum and able to detect reproducibly 105 cells/L within 30 min. The test is applied to environmental samples already characterized by light microscopy counting. No significant difference is observed between the cell densities obtained by these two methods. This handy super-paramagnetic lateral flow immnunoassay biosensor can greatly assist water quality monitoring programs as well as ecological research.
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