Sol-gel-based enzymatic assays and immunoassays for residue analysis

A novel technology based on the entrapment of biomolecules in a ceramic SiO 2 sol-gel matrix has been developed. The technology was used to entrap enzy mes and antibodies for use as pesticide and pollutant sensors and immunochr omatographic materials. Three systems were studied: (i) sol-gel-entrapped e sterases for monitoring organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticides; (ii) sol-gel- entrapped anti-atrazine monoclonal antibodies for immune-aff inity purification of s-triazine herbicides present as contaminants in soil and water; and (iii) sol-gel-en-trapped anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) polyclona l antiserum for clean up and concentration of nitroaromatic pollutants from agricultural and environmental samples. The characteristics of the sol-gel -entrapped enzymes and antibodies are presented.