Characterization of monoclonal antibodies raised against different structures belonging to the s-triazine group of herbicides

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against seven haptens, representing different structures of the s-triazine group of herbicides. Two side groups on the s-triazine ring were used to couple reactive s-triazine-haptens to immunogenic carrier molecules. For each hapten, one monoclonal antibody was selected for further analysis based on its affinity for the homologous s-triazine. The selected monoclonal antibodies were characterized with respect to their reactivity to the seven immunogens in a direct ELISA assay and cross-reactivity to nine free striazines (atrazine, hydroxyatrazine, simazine, hydroxysimazine, terbutylazine, deisopropylatrazine, deethylatrazine, deethylterbutylazine and cyanazine) in competitive assays. The pattern of reactivities illustrates the varying antigenic dominance of the different side groups of the s-triazine ring as well as the potential of monoclonal antibodies for use in screening drinking water, etc. for the presence of s-triazine herbicides.