EuNPs-MAb fluorescent probe based immunochromatographic strip for rapid and sensitive detection of fluorene

Fluorene is a priority pollutant in water listed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A fluorescent probe using Eu(III)-marked polystyrene nanoparticles (EuNPs) labelled with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) was synthesized and an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) based on the probe (EuNPs-MAb) was developed for rapid and sensitive detection of fluorene in water samples. The concentration of fluorene was inversely proportional to fluorescence intensity values of T-line in the range 0.98–62.50 ng/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) for quantitative detection of fluorene was 0.09 ng/mL. Recoveries of fluorene in various water samples ranged from 81.50% to 103.00% and coefficients of variation (CVs) were below 13%, which were in a good agreement with those of traditional ELISA (R 2  = 0.99). The assay can be performed within 30 min. The integrated ICA strip gave higher sensitivity and reliable reproducibility. It could be a potential method for rapid and sensitive detection of fluorene in water samples.