Ultrasensitive Nano-rt-iPCR for Determination of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Natural Samples

Extensive polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) use has resulted in its increasingly widespread presence in the environment. PBDEs release from existing products can still persist and accumulate in the environment as well as in human and wildlife magnifying through the food web. Due to its ultra-trace amount in the environment, a novel ultrasensitive nano-rt-iPCR assay has been developed to determine polybrominated diphenyl ethers in natural samples. Numerous amino-DNA and polyclonal antibody (anti-PBDE) were immobilized onto the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to form antibody-SWCNTs-DNA signal amplifier used in the proposed immunoassay system. Compared with rt-iPCR, this nano-rt-iPCR assay had a higher ratio of signal DNA, which meant higher signal measured and lower detection limit. This proposed nano-rt-iPCR assay was used to determine PBDEs in water samples ranging from 0.5 pg/L to 0.5ng/L; giving the LOD 1 pg/L. To the best of our knowledge, this nano-rt-iPCR is the most sensitive method for PBDEs detection. Because of that, this method needs no pre-concentration or extractions, using sample sizes as low as 10 µL. In general, this nano-rt-iPCR method will be a useful and potential way for batch detection of ultra-trace PBDEs in the aquatic environment.