Zearalenone Class-Specific Hapten Design and Synthesis Service

Zearalenone (ZEN), also called RAL and F-2 mycotoxin, is a potent estrogenic metabolite produced by some Gibberella species. ZEN is the primary toxin and can cause infertility, abortion, or other breeding problems, especially in swine. ZEN is found in many cereal crops, such as maize, barley, oats, wheat, rice, sorghum, and also in bread in the world. To minimize the risk of ZEN to humans and livestock, more and more research groups have tried to develop detection methods to monitor ZENs among crops. Creative Biolabs has many years of experience in antibody design and development. We not only have a good reputation in the design and development services of antibodies against biological macromolecules, but also have a lot of experience in the design, synthesis of haptens.

Zearalenones (ZENs)

ZEN is produced as a secondary metabolite by several Fusarium species, including Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium graminearum. ZENs are heat-stable. Numerous studies have indicated the ingestion of pure ZON results in estrogenic syndrome in swine, cattle, and rodents and cause genotoxic and carcinogenic to humans and animals.

Design and Synthesis of Class-specific Haptens for Zearalenone

A lot of immunoassay methods used for ZEN design and synthesis are mature, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoaffinity column test, immunochromatographic strip test, immunosensors, time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay, fluorescence polarization immunoassay. High-throughput screening ELISA method has been used to screen and monitor for the high purity and the high affinity of ZEN during the design and synthesis of haptens for ZENs. At Creative Biolabs, we develop class-specific immunoassays to meet customers’ requirements.

Figure.1 The class-specific haptens for ZEN.

Design and Synthesis of Class-specific Haptens for Zearalenone

For developing the class-specific immunoassay, the generic hapten should keep the common structure as much as possible. On the other hand, the structure of the hapten spacer arm should be far from the functional groups in order to avoid the affecting recognition of antibodies to the hapten. In the beginning, Creative Biolabs teams design and synthesize haptens with different spacer arms. Then, we will check which one is more sensitive and high affinity. Subsequently, we prepare for the synthesis of ZEN derivatives and the hapten–protein conjugates.

Compared with molecules, haptens are the smallest molecules that evoke an immune response only when they are attached to carrier proteins. In vivo, haptens can bind to serum proteins fast, such as albumin. Anti-ZEN antibodies are commonly used in ELISA, sometimes in the immune colloidal gold (rapid test), the immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC). Based on customers' different requirements for test results, Creative Biolabs can provide customers with one-stop services for the design and synthesis of class-specific haptens for ZENs, also including the modification and the subsequent antibody production and labeling. If you are interested in this service or the design and synthesis of compound-specific haptens for ZENs, please feel free to contact us.