Increasingly, immunoassays are being applied for monitoring agrochemicals in food and environmental samples. The rapidity, sensitivity, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness of the methods have made them an attractive tool, and they have been optimized for monitoring of a wide variety of compounds. Despite the major advantages introduced by immunoassays, the varied and complex matrixes that serve as sources for analyte monitoring, the low concentrations of the analytes within the matrix, and the presence of compounds that interfere with the analytical method introduce barriers that limit their wider application for agrochemical analysis. Recently, a novel technology, based on entrapment of biomolecules in a ceramic matrix, which overcomes many of the above limitations, has been developed. The method was applied for the development of immunoaffinity chromatographic devices as well as for direct sample monitoring. The recent advances in agrochemical monitoring in view of the above developments will be introduced.
Increasingly, immunoassays are being applied for monitoring agrochemicals in food and environmental samples. The rapidity, sensitivity, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness of the methods have made them an attractive tool, and they have been optimized for monitoring of a wide variety of compounds. Despite the major advantages introduced by immunoassays, the varied and complex matrixes that serve as sources for analyte monitoring, the low concentrations of the analytes within the matrix, and the presence of compounds that interfere with the analytical method introduce barriers that limit their wider application for agrochemical analysis. Recently, a novel technology, based on entrapment of biomolecules in a ceramic matrix, which overcomes many of the above limitations, has been developed. The method was applied for the development of immunoaffinity chromatographic devices as well as for direct sample monitoring. The recent advances in agrochemical monitoring in view of the above developments will be introduced.