An immunochromatographic strip sensor for rapid and sensitive detection of candesartan, olmesartan medoxomil, and irbesartan in herbal beverages

Sartans, as a class of antihypertensive drugs, pose a threat to human health when illegally added to herbal beverages. It is crucial to detect sartans in herbal beverages. We have developed a highly sensitive monoclonal antibody against candesartan (CAN), olmesartan medoxomil (OLM), and irbesartan (IRB), with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) that were obtained via indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) as 0.178 ng mL-1, 0.185 ng mL-1, and 0.262 ng mL-1 against CAN, OLM, and IRB, respectively. Based on this monoclonal antibody, we developed a rapid screening method for CAN, OLM, and IRB in herbal beverage samples using an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) strip. Test for 15 minutes after simple and rapid sample pre-treatment and the results of this method can be obtained through naked eye observation. The detection limits (LODs) of the ICA strip for CAN, OLM, and IRB in herbal beverage samples are lower than 0.15 ng mL-1, and the results of the ICA strip and ic-ELISA are consistent in spiked samples and recovery experiments. Therefore, this method can quickly, efficiently, and reliably achieve high-throughput on-site rapid detection of illegally added CAN, OLM, and IRB in herbal beverages. Sartans, as a class of antihypertensive drugs, pose a threat to human health when illegally added to herbal beverages.