Monoclonal antibody-based immunolocalization of bound triazine residues in two aquatic macrophytes (elodea canadensis and myriophyllum spicatum)

Immunohistochemical localization offers a fast and reliable method of obtaining information about the distribution of bound pesticide residues in plants. In the present study aquatic macrophytes (Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllum spicatum) were grown in laboratory model ecosystems spiked with 50 μ g/l atrazine. To label cryosections, monoclonal antibodies from cell culture supernatants and ascites fluid with differing specificities for s-triazines were used in combination with the fluorescent dye Fhycoerythrin and biotin-streptavidin amplification. The best results were observed with antibodies gained from mice immunized with an ametryn sulfoxide-BSA conjugate, regardless of the method employed for antibody production. The consequences with respect to herbicide metabolism and binding are discussed.