A piezoelectric immunosensor for chloramphenicol detection in food

► The ways of forming an immunoaffinity coating of the sensor on the base of an electrogeneration polypyrrole coating were suggested. ► The piezoelectric sensor for the detection of trace quantities of chloramphenicol in food was developed. ► The piezoelectric sensor was used in a competitive format with the use of hapten–protein conjugate and polyclonal antibodies. ► Trace quantities of chloramphenicol were detected in analyzing samples of meat, milk, eggs and honey. A piezoelectric immunosensor on the basis of electrogenerated polymer for detecting trace quantities of chloramphenicol, a drug which is used in veterinary for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, was developed. The detection was conducted in a competitive format with the use of hapten–protein conjugate and monoclonal antibodies. The limit of detection is 0.2ngml−1, the calibration curve is linear in the range of concentrations 0.5–100.0ngml−1. Chloramphenicol was detected in food (meat, milk, egg, honey).