Detection of sulphamethazine with an optical biosensor and anti-idiotypic antibodies

We describe the development of an assay for the detection of sulphamethazine in animal urine with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. In order to obtain a general assay that can easily be transferred to other veterinary drug residues, a monoclonal antibody against sulphamethazine and a corresponding anti-idiotypic antibody were used. The assay had a lower detection limit of 5 μg/l which is well below the maximum residue limits (MRL) of 100 μg/l and can be used for screening purposes in animal urine. The binding reaction between the antibodies as occurring during sensor application was characterized with respect to avidity and kinetic properties.