Characterization of monoclonal antibodies raised against different structures belonging to the s-triazine group of herbicides

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against seven haptens, representing diffe rent structures of the s-triazine group of herbicides, Two side groups on t he s-triazine ring were used to couple reactive s-triazine-haptens to immun ogenic carrier molecules. For each hapten, one monoclonal antibody was sele cted for further analysis based on its affinity for the homologous s-triazi ne. The selected monoclonal antibodies were characterized with respect to t heir reactivity to the seven immunogens in a direct ELISA assay and cross-r eactivity to nine free s-triazines (atrazine, hydroxyatrazine, simazine, hy droxysimazine, terbutylazine, deisopropylatrazine, deethylatrazine, deethyl terbutylazine and cyanazine) in competitive assays. The pattern of reactivi ties illustrates the varying antigenic dominance of the different side grou ps of the s-triazine ring as well as the potential of monoclonal antibodies for use in screening drinking water, etc, for the presence of s-triazine h erbicides. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B,V. All rights reserved.