Detection of ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine in urine using a polarization fluoroimmunoassay

Abstract

A polarization fluoroimmunoassay, with a high specificity for ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, has been adapted for screening urine samples on the Abbott TDx analyser. The antiserum was produced from an ephedrine derivative conjugated to keyhole limpet haemocyanin, and, as a tracer, a fluorescein-labelled derivative of phenylpropanolamine was used. The antiserum showed very low cross-reactivity for amphetamine and other structurally related amines.