Study on immobilisation process on lateral flow assay test strip for detection of Enrofloxacin antibiotic by inkjet printing

Abstract

Enrofloxacin has been widely and increasingly used in veterinary medicine to treat infection on animals which could lead to antibiotic resistance for the consumer. Among the available detection techniques for Enrofloxacin, immunoassay lateral flow test strip is realised to be a rapid and accurate detection method for on-site analysis of Enrofloxacin antibiotic. The current study aims to analyse the application of inkjet printing technology on the immobilisation of biological substances at the test line and control line position of the test strip. With the printing parameters value at 35 °C, 35 °C, 7 layers and 15 μm for cartridge temperature, substrate temperature, printing layers and drop spacing, respectively, the fabricated test strips show correlation coefficient R 2 at 0.993 for the test with Enrofloxacin samples in the concentration range from 0 to 100 ppb. Compared to conventional fabrication method, the immobilisation process utilising inkjet printing technology is considered to be superior in printing patterns with a simple and material-saving process, which holds a potential of innovative and financially beneficial approach for on-site detection of Enrofloxacin antibiotic.