Smartphone-based visualized microarray detection for multiplexed harmful substances in milk

In this paper, we report a sensitive, simple and inexpensive analytical method for the immunoassay microarray based on a smartphone in which various harmful substances in milk could be assayed. Tetracyclines (TCs) and Quinolones (QNs) were selected as the model targets in this study. TCs and QNs antigens were immobilized in the microarray and then samples containing free of antibiotics and corresponding antibodies as well as AgNPs labeled secondary antibodies were added to the microarray. The signal of this competitive format was further amplified by silver enhancement technique based on the development reagents and achieved a visual dots in the array. The resulting microarray could be detected by the smartphone placed in the minicartridge. The limit of detection (LOD) of this novel detection platform was 1.51ngmL−1 (TCs) and 1.74ngmL−1 (QNs). To achieve one-well quantitative analysis, a series of gradient concentration mouse IgG was immobilized in the same well. As a result, an internal standard curve was plotted by the signal of different concentrations of mouse IgG. The results showed that a quantitative detection of TCs and QNs established were consistent with external standard curve. Compared to other methods, this method was superior in terms of detection limit, time saving, and one-well quantitative detected with smartphone which were simple sample-preparation. •Portable detection for visualized microarray by smartphone.•Sensitive measurement of multiplexed harmful substances in milk.•One-well quantitative assay for microarray based on internal standard method.