Efficient Biotinylation of Nitrocellulose Membrane for Immuno-Filtration Capture Assay

We investigated biotinylation of nitrocellulose membrane for immuno-filtration capture assay. In order to enhance the efficiency of biotinylation, nitrocellulose membranes were pretreated with several chemicals for the purpose of suitable protein absorption through surface modification. As a signal generating enzyme, urease was used and the concentration of avidin was optimized for the efficient binding kinetics between urease-biotin in liquid phase and biotinylated membrane in solid phase. For effective biotinylation, bovine serum albumin-biotin complexes could be immobilized at a concentration of $370\;{\mu}g$/stick ($4.4\;cm^2$). Among tested chemicals, polylysine (0.25%) showed a significant effect in biotinylation. Polylysine is thought to enhance surface area by extending unbound residues into solution. Time of treatment over 30 min and higher molecular weight of polylysines (58,100 dalton) showed positive effect on the enhancement of biotinylation. The result from this study may be useful for developing a new biosensor and other biofunctional membranes for examining molecular recognition.