VZL 2007, 76(4):153-157

Detection of Ricin with Biosensors and ELISA: A Review

Petr Procházka
Faculty of Health and Social Studies, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice

Hlavním cílem této práce je shrnout informace o nejběžněji používaných metod pro detekci ricinu. Ricin je fytotoxin produkovaný rostlinou zvanou skočec obecný, Ricinus communis. Je znám jako protein blokující proteosyntézu blokací ribozomů. Jako toxin může být zneužit k teroristickým akcím, ale také může způsobit velmi vážnou otravu, a to buď náhodnou nebo úmyslnou (vražda, sebevražda). Proto je zde urgentní potřeba detekčních metod, které jsou spolehlivé, specifické a selektivní. Tato práce nabízí informace o enzymatické imunoanalýze (ELISA) a biosenzorech. Z biosenzorů jsou zde uvedeny magnetoelastic imunosenzor a fiber-optic based biosenzor. Jelikož ricin je protein, nejvhodnější metody jsou založeny na imunologických principech. Uspořádání biosenzorů je podobné jako u imunoanalytických metod, ale jsou konstruovány pro rychlou detekci a záchyt toxinů. Jsou proto rychlými metodami nevyžadujícími náročné podmínky, jako je požadavek vyškoleného personálu, nebo např. inkubační doby. Detekční limit je u imunoanalýz podstatně nižší než u biosenzorů. Biosenzory mohou být použity také pro detekci stafylokokového enterotoxinu B a antigen F1 bakterie Yersinia pestis.

Keywords: Ricin; ELISA; Biosenzory; Analýza toxinů

The main aim of this work is to summarize the information about the most common methods for detection of ricin. Ricin is a phytotoxin produced by castor plant, Ricinus communis. It is known as ribosome-inactivating protein because it inhibits the proteosynthesis. It can be abused for terrorist actions or it can cause very serious intoxication, either accidental or murder and suicide. Therefore there is an urgent need to have a reliable, specific and selective detection method. This paper offers information about enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biosensors. The magnetoelastic immunosensor and the fiber-optic based biosensor are represented here. Because ricin is a protein, the most suitable methods are based on immunological principles. Biosensors have similar arrangement as immunoassays but they are constructed for the quick detection and screening. Thus they are faster and do not require difficult conditions, such as trained personal, incubation time etc. The detection limit for ricin offered by immunoassays is much lower than by biosensors. Biosensors can be used also for some other toxins, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxin B and Yersinia pestis F1 antigen.

Keywords: Ricin; ELISA; Biosensors; Toxin analysis

Received: February 9, 2007; Published: December 1, 2007  Show citation

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Procházka, P. (2007). Detection of Ricin with Biosensors and ELISA: A Review. Vojenské Zdravotnické Listy, 76(4), 153-157
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