Preparation of an anti-vitamin A monoclonal antibody resistant to matrix interference and its application in quantitative immunochromatographic analysis.

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency can lead to abnormal immune system function and jeopardize health. Therefore, a simple and specific method for determining VA is needed. We analyzed the structure of hapten for the preparation of an anti-VA monoclonal antibody (mAb), assisted by computer simulation. The solution's organic solvent content was optimized during mAbs screening, taking into account its effect on antibody performance. Colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (CGIA) strips were developed and applied to the detection of VA in infant formula, cheese, and VA dietary supplements, utilizing the prepared mAb that exhibits tolerance to 10% methanol. The visual and calculated limit of detection for infant formula, cheese, VA dietary supplements, and human plasma were 100, 50, 50 mg/kg, and 100 μg/mL and 15.06, 15.21, 27.47 mg/kg, and 20.23 μg/mL, respectively. The recoveries of CGIA strips for the detection of VA ranged from 93.67% to 102.68%. This agrees well with the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry results. Therefore, the CGIA strips could fulfill the needs for the determination of VA in real samples.