Use of Immunochemical Techniques for the Analysis of Pesticides*

Immunochemical assays for small molecules such as pesticides are rapidly gaining acceptance among analytical chemists. These techniques are rapid, sensitive, cost effective and can easily cope with large sample loads. This review lists the advantages and disadvantages of the technique and describes the steps in assay development using examples from this laboratory, particularly the thiocarbamate herbicide molinate and the triazine herbicides. The focus is primarily on hapten synthesis strategies, assay format considerations, sample preparation and assay validation.