Microbiological assays electrochemical detection

Microbiological or immunochemical detection systems offer the advantage to screen, rapidly and at low cost, a large number of food samples for potential residues, but cannot provide definitive information on the identity of violative residues found in suspected samples. For samples found positive by the screening assays, residues can be tentatively identified and quantified by means of the combined force of an efficient liquid chromatographic (LC) separation and a selective physicochemical detection system such as UV, fluorescence, or electrochemical detection. The potential of pre- or postcolumn derivatiza-tion can further enhance the selectivity and sensitivity of the analysis. Nevertheless, unequivocal identification by these methods is not possible unless a more efficient detection system is applied. 

MTHF was initially measured by microbiological and radioisotope dilution assay [12, 13], and later by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) using electrochemical (EC), ultraviolet, or fluorescence detection [14-16]. Compared to other methods, EC detection is more sensitive. 

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