Characterization of monoclonal antibodies raised against different structures belonging to the s-triazine group of herbicides

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against seven haptens, representing different structures of the s-triazine group of herbicides. Two side groups on the s-triazine ring were used to couple reactive s-triazine-haptens to immunogenic carrier molecules. For each hapten, one monoclonal antibody was selected for further analysis based on its affinity for the homologous s-triazine. The selected monoclonal antibodies were characterized with respect to their reactivity to the seven immunogens in a direct ELISA assay and cross-reactivity to nine free s-triazines (atrazine, hydroxyatrazine, simazine, hydroxysimazine, terbutylazine, deisopropylatrazine, deethylatrazine, deethylterbutylazine and cyanazine) in competitive assays. The pattern of reactivities illustrates the varying antigenic dominance of the different side groups of the s-triazine ring as well as the potential of monoclonal antibodies for use in screening drinking water, etc. for the presence of s-triazine herbicides.