Aggregation-induced emission luminogens-encoded microspheres preparation and flow-through immunoaffinity chromatographic assay development for microcystin-LR analysis

Despite decades of efforts, we are faced with the daunting task of on-site ultratrace environmental toxins detecting, especially the microcystins caused by water bloom. In this work, a novel fluorescent microsphere-based flow-through immunoaffinity chromatographic assay has been designed for detecting ultratrace microcystin-LR in water and aquatic products. The aggregation-induced emission luminogens were encapsulated into fluorescent microspheres to ensure microcystin-LR quantitation with a whole analytical time of less than 30 min. Furthermore, the colorimetric images were captured and quantitatively analyzed, which offered a limit of detection at 0.217 pg/mL and a limit of quantitation at 0.362 pg/mL in water and aquatic muscle samples. The developed immunoassays provide average recovery ranging from 79.1 % to 95.7 %, with relative standard de-viations less than 13.4 %. Thus, the validated flow-through immunoaffinity chromatographic assay is an easy-to -use alternative for on-site screening of microcystin-LR in water and aquatic samples at picogram levels.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel fluorescent microsphere-based flow-through immunoaffinity chromatographic assay was developed to detect ultratrace microcystin-LR in water and aquatic products. The assay allowed for quantitation of microcystin-LR in less than 30 minutes using fluorescent microspheres encapsulating aggregation-induced emission luminogens. Colorimetric images were captured and analyzed, providing a limit of detection of 0.217 pg/mL and a limit of quantitation of 0.362 pg/mL in water and aquatic muscle samples. The developed immunoassays showed high average recovery rates and low relative standard deviations, making them a practical on-site screening method for microcystin-LR at picogram levels in water and aquatic samples.