Immunochemical analysis

Analytical techniques that investigate samples through specific immune reactions. They include ELISA, radioimmunoassay, immunodiffusion, and immunoelectrophoresis. Food laboratories rely on them to detect pathogens, mycotoxins, allergens, and residues with high specificity, often as rapid screening before confirmatory testing. Because antibody binding is so selective, these methods can find trace targets in complex food matrices, though careful validation is needed to rule out cross-reactivity with similar molecules in the sample. Their speed and specificity make them indispensable for allergen management and contaminant screening programmes.