Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to the strobilurin pesticide pyraclostrobin.

Strobilurin fungicides are nowadays among the most important fungicides in the market of active agrochemicals. Pyraclostrobin, which belongs to the last generation of this family of molecules, shows a broader antifungal activity spectrum and higher efficiency and security profiles than previous fungicides. This paper describes the synthesis of functionalized haptens, the production of monoclonal antibodies, and the development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of pyraclostrobin. A conformational analysis of hapten structure was performed, which provided relevant data concerning the length of the spacer arm. A very useful strategy has been followed for the screening of hybridomas, leading to the selection of a panel of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies to pyraclostrobin. Moreover, different immunoassays have been characterized using the conjugate-coated indirect ELISA format, and limits of detection below 0.1 microg/L have been obtained. Also, a simplified one-step procedure has been carried out with two indirect assays. Finally, these results have been compared with the performance of the same antibodies in the antibody-coated direct ELISA format.