DETECTION OF 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID BY MICROTITER PARTICLE AGGLUTINATION INHIBITION TEST AND POLARIZATION FLUOROIMMUNOASSAY

A simple microtiter particle agglutination inhibition (MPAI) assay for detection of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been developed on the basis of coloured poly-acrolein latex particles sensitized with monoclonal antibodies to 2,4-D. MPAI test has been applied to the quantification of 2,4-D in water and extracts from grain and compared with the polarisation fluoroimmunoassay. The detection limit-of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid in MPAI was 0.6 mu g/l which was about two orders higher than that of polarisation fluoroimmunoassay. The cross-reactivity of various structurally related substances was less than 10.%. Good correlation of MPAI and polarisation fluoroimmunoassay was shown when testing 2,4-D in the extracts from grain. MPAI assay is rapid, robust, easy to perform, doesn't need any instrumentation and specially trained personnel.