Antibodies as tools to detect free metal ions in food extracts and beverages: myth or reality?

Abstract

Immunospecificity to free metal ions has been described in few scientific manuscripts. These rare instances include reports on antibodies with affinity towards soluble mercury (II) [1,2] or lead (II) [3]. This is contradictory to the most common approach, where protein carriers are first conjugated to the metal [4,5]. In most articles it is usually the macromolecular complex that stimulates allergenicity and binds IgG in a subsequent in-vitro assay.