RESUMO
A novel method based on immuno-chemiluminescence and image analysis using charge coupled device (CCD) for the qualitative detection of methyl parathion (MP) with high sensitivity (up to 10 ppt) is described. MP antibodies raised in poultry were used as a biological sensing element for the recognition of MP present in the sample. The immuno-reactor column was prepared by packing in a glass capillary column (150 microl capacity) MP antibodies immobilized on Sepharose CL-4B through periodate oxidation method. Chemiluminescence principle was used for the detection of the pesticide. Light images generated during the chemiluminescence reaction were captured by a CCD camera and further processed for image intensity, which was correlated with pesticide concentrations. K(3)Fe(CN)(6) was used as a light enhancer to obtain detectable light images. Different parameters including concentrations of K(3)Fe(CN)(6), luminol, urea H(2)O(2), antibody, addition sequence of reactants and incubation time to obtain best images were optimized. The results obtained by image analysis method showed very good correlation with that of competitive ELISA for methyl parathion detection. Competitive ELISA method was used as a reference to compare the results obtained by CCD imaging.