Table 1.
Summary of BoNT detection techniques.
| Method | Detection limit | Analysis time | Multiplex | Automation | Matrix interference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse lethality assay | 1 MLD50(20 pg/mL BoNT/A) | 4-6 days | no | no | low |
| ELISA | 5 pg/mL-2 ng/mL | 5-6 hours | limited | limited | manageable |
| Flow cytometric assay | 50 pg/mL-20 ng/mL | 4 hours | yes | yes | manageable |
| Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay | 5 pg/mL - 50 ng/mL | 1 hour | limited | limited | manageable |
| Immuno-PCR | 1-5 pg/mL | 6-9 hours | limited | no | manageable |
| Liposome-PCR | 0.02 fg/mL | 7-9 hours | limited | no | N/A |
| Lateral flow test | 5-50 ng/mL | 15 min | no | - | high |
| Biosensor (evanescence wave based) | 150 pg/mL-200 ng/mL | 10 min | yes | yes | low |
| Fluorescence endopeptidase assay | 3 pg/mL | 3 hours | no | on-chip | high |
| FRET endopeptidase assay | 60 pg/mL-40 ng/mL | 3 hours | no | no | high |
| FRET endopeptidase assay with immunoseparation | 1 fg/mL | 2.5 hours | no | no | low |
| Immuno-detection of cleavage product | 40 fg/mL-200 pg/mL | 6 hours | limited | no | high |
| Endopep-MS | 0.4-6 pg/mL | 3-4 hours | yes | yes | high |
| Cell based assay | 1-10 ng/mL | 2-3 days | no | no | low |