On-line immunoanalysis for environmental pollutants:: from batch assays to automated sensors

The development of antibody-based sensors has grown steadily during recent years, and their use as routine instruments in pollution control programmes might become reality in the 21st century. The conversion from batch immunoassays to practical immunosensors has not been easy, owing to the sometimes different principles employed in these methodologies, In this review we illustrate the main difficulties found in the development and implementation of on-line immunosensors, as applied to the determination of organic pollutants such as pesticides. Some solutions to these problems are proposed, and their validities discussed critically. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.