Electrochemical immunoassay of cotinine in serum based on nanoparticle probe and immunochromatographic strip

Highlights: ► Using nanoparticle probe in immunochromatographic strip. ► Enhanced sensitivity by using nanoparticle label. ► Rapid and sensitive detection of cotinine in serum. - Abstract: A disposable sensor for the determination of cotinine in human serum was developed based on immunochromatographic test strip and quantum dot label. In this assay, cotinine linked with quantum dot competes with cotinine in sample to bind to anti-cotinine antibody in the test strip and the quantum dots serve as signal vehicles for electrochemical readout. Some parameters governing the performance of the sensor were optimized. The sensor shows a wide linear range from 1 ng mL−1 to 100 ng mL−1 cotinine with a detection limit of 1.0 ng mL−1. The sensor was validated with spiked human serum samples and it was found that this method was reliable in measuring cotinine in human serum. The results demonstrate that this sensor is rapid, accurate, and less expensive and has the potential for point of care (POC) detection of cotinine and fast screening of tobacco smoke exposure.