Preliminary characterization indicates the expected Atrazine concentration to be between 50 and 200 ppb. Usually an effective antigen must be large and foreign to the animal immunized. As most pesticides are rather small molecules, they must be conjugated to a large protein molecule before they can be used as antigens. The pesticide may or may not have a functionality suitable for conjugation. If not, then a derivative of the pesticide must be synthesized.
All immunoassays are physical assays and are based on the Law of Mass Action.
They combine the specificity and sensitivity of bioassays with the speed and precision of physical assays. We will be using a technique that involves antibody-coated magnetizable particles. Following a second incubation period the reaction is stopped and the color monitored by spectrophotometry. We will be using the magnetizable antibodies provided by Ohmicron, as well as conventional GC analysis with Mass Spec detection, to determine the concentration of Atrazine in a field water sample. Try to observe the inherent strengths and weaknesses of each technique.