A novel method for rapid and quantitative detection of bisphenol A in urine

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is classified as an endocrine disruptor (ED) and can interact with a variety of hormone receptors leading to hormonal disruption and increased risk of numerous adverse health effects. Reducing human exposure to BPA is one of the main challenges of public health, as it is constantly present in the daily life. A low-cost and commonly applied method to enable determination of BPA in the patient's body has yet to be developed. Currently available techniques are expensive, time-consuming, and require access to highly equipped analytical chemistry laboratories. Here, we describe a fast and inexpensive engineered lateral flow assay of our design, to detect BPA in urine samples. This technology provides an opportunity to perform rapid biomonitoring. Addition of β-glucuronidase improves sensitivity of detection, as it releases free BPA from glucuronide complexes in the urine. This invention may become a commonly used analytical tools for lowering human exposure to BPA and probably to other EDs as well, and consequently it may be useful in decreasing the risk for several lifestyle diseases.