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What principle does drug of abuse rapid test kits use to detect?

Mar 07,2024

The detection principle of drug of abuse rapid test kits is usually based on biochemical, immunological, or chemical principles, which provide rapid, sensitive, and reliable methods for drug detection.
Immunological principle:
Antigen-antibody reaction: This is a common principle in drug of abuse rapid test kits. Specific antibodies are designed to identify target drugs of abuse or their metabolites. When these drugs are present in the sample, antibodies bind to drug molecules, forming antigen-antibody complexes. This binding reaction can be detected optically, electrochemically, or by other methods, indicating the presence of the drug.
Immunoassay: In this method, antibodies are immobilized on paper or membrane to form a layer. When a sample containing drugs of abuse passes through this layer, the drugs bind to the antibodies, forming visible lines or spots that can be detected visually or instrumentally.
Biochemical principle:
Enzymatic catalysis: Some drug of abuse rapid test kits utilize the catalytic activity of enzymes. Specific enzymes are used to catalyze chemical reactions of drugs or their metabolites. These reactions result in changes in color, light emission, or other measurable signals, indicating the presence of the drug.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET): This is a biochemical technique where two fluorescent molecules are designed to interact under specific conditions. When drugs of abuse bind to these molecules, fluorescence signals change, which can be used for drug detection.
Chemical principle:
Colorimetric reaction: Certain drugs of abuse react with specific reagents to produce noticeable color changes. These color changes can be detected using colorimetric methods or other optical techniques to determine the presence of the drug.
Multi-drug One Step Screen Test Panel (Urine)
Electrochemical detection: Based on the electrochemical interaction between drug molecules and electrodes. The presence of the drug causes changes in current or potential, which can be measured by instruments to determine the drug concentration.
Each drug of abuse rapid test kit selects the most suitable detection principle based on the nature of the target drug and detection requirements. The selection of these principles aims to provide methods for high sensitivity, high specificity, and rapid detection to meet the practical needs of drug abuse detection.
Furthermore, with the continuous advancement of scientific technology, new detection principles and methods are also being developed and improved. For example, emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, biosensors, etc., are increasingly being applied in the field of drug abuse detection, providing more possibilities for rapid, accurate, and convenient drug abuse detection.