Lateral flow assays (LFA) for pathogen detection stand out for their rapidity and accuracy. Shuo Liang, PhD, from Sartorius Stedim Biotech, discusses how surfactants can elevate the efficiency of lateral flow tests. As LFA continues to be widely used for point-of-care applications, it is pivotal to understand the selection of surfactants for optimizing these assays.
Liang's study categorizes surfactants into nonionic, cationic, anionic, and zwitterionic types, shedding light on their multifaceted roles in LFA. The application of specific surfactants—Tween 20, Brij 35, Brij 58, Tween 60, Tergitol™ NP-40, IGEPAL® CA-630, CHAPS, and SDS—is meticulously examined during sample pad pretreatment across three lateral flow tests. The concentration of these surfactants is changed to discern their impact on test performance. This study underscores the need for precise surfactant selection to achieve optimal outcomes in lateral flow assays.
Download this white paper to learn:
How surfactants are classified and applied to LFAs
The effects of specific surfactants, such as Tween 20, on performance of LFAs
The differences between nonionic and ionic surfactant LFA performance
Various considerations surrounding surfactant selection
How to screen surfactants and concentrations for LFAs
