Enhanced chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for cannabinoids in urine

Abstract

An enhanced chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay was developed for the detection of cannabinoids in urine. It utilises an antiserum specific for tetrahydrocannabinol and its major metabolite, a donkey anti-sheep antiserum and a horseradish peroxidase labelled antigen conjugate. The bound enzyme is detected via its catalytic activity on the chemiluminescent luminol-H₂O₂ reaction in the presence of an enhancer. This immunoassay employs mild experimental conditions and is extremely sensitive (0.13 µg l^–1), making it suitable for the detection of cannabinoids in samples obtained several days following drug use. None of several medicinal and other drugs of abuse tested interfered in the assay. Greater sensitivity and simplicity make it a feasible non-isotopic alternative to radioimmunoassay and it is amenable to automation and routine screening to large sample batches.