Enhancing the immunofluorescent sensitivity for detection of Acidovorax citrulli using fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled antigen and antibody.

A rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic strip (ICS) using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled antigen and antibody was developed for the detection of Acidovorax citrulli (Ac) in melons and vegetable samples. In the ICS, signal amplification was realized based on antigen Ac and anti-Ac monoclonal antibody (McAb) 4F conjugated with FITC, respectively, which were forming two probes. The control line and the test line were obtained by immobilizing the goat anti-mouse IgG antibody and anti-Ac McAb 6D on both sides of the nitrocellulose membrane. The visual detection limit of the strip was 10 CFU/mL, which was 10-fold sensitive compared to the strip of FITC only labeling antigen or antibody. Signal amplification ICS was successfully applied to the detection of Ac in melon and vegetable samples with less detection time and operation procedures compared to the traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and PCR methods. This is the first report of using FITC labeled antigen and McAb as dual fluorescent probes to develop a direct-type immunofluorescence strip for the rapid and sensitive detection of Ac, which demonstrates a powerful tool for rapidly screening Ac in plant materials and other samples. Graphical abstract The schematic presentation of the test strip (a) and the positive result (b) or negative result