Strip-based immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in agricultural products

A semiquantitative strip immunoassay was developed for the rapid detection of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in agricultural products using specific nanocolloidal gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies. The conjugates of imidacloprid–BSA, thiamethoxam–BSA and goat anti-mouse IgG were coated on the nitro-cellulose membrane of the strip, serving as test lines and control line, respectively. The flow of the complexes of gold labeled antibodies and insecticides along the strip resulted in intensive color formed on the test lines inversely proportional to the concentrations of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. The visual detection limits of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in assay buffer were 0.5 and 2 ng mL−1, respectively. Matrix interference of cucumber, tomato, lettuce, apple, and orange on the strip assay could be eliminated by diluting sample extracts with assay buffer. The strip analysis of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in these samples was compared to liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and the results were in good agreement. The strip was stable for storage more than 5 months at 4 °C. The strip assay is a rapid and simple method for the simultaneous screening of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in agricultural products.