Immunoaffinity chromatography

A purification technique that exploits the specific binding between antibodies and their target antigens on a chromatography column. Antibodies fixed to the column capture only the molecule of interest from a complex mixture, which is then released in pure form. Food laboratories use it to isolate toxins, allergens, and veterinary drug residues before analysis — for example, cleaning up mycotoxin extracts so that the subsequent measurement is accurate. Its selectivity makes it invaluable when the target is present at trace levels in a complex food matrix.