INTEGRATION OF IMMUNOCHEMICAL METHODS WITH OTHER ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR PESTICIDE-RESIDUE DETERMINATION

The growing volume of literature concerning immunoassay analysis for t race levels of agrochemicals and other low molecular weight contaminan ts in various matrixes is indicative of the tremendous interest in and utility of this analytical technique. Most immunoassay methods descri bed in the literature analyze compounds directly, for example, a herbi cide in water or involve solvent exchange of an organic sample extract or dilution of an aqueous-based sample to minimize the matrix effect. As immunoassay for small molecules becomes widely accepted and applie d, new challenges involving more complex chemicals in more difficult m atrixes arise. The integration of ''classical'' analytical chemistry w ith immunochemistry can provide new techniques and approaches useful i n discovering the movement, mode of action, and ultimate impact of cer tain chemicals on humans and the environment.