An improved clenbuterol detection by immunochromatographic assay with bacteria@Au composite as signal amplifier.Immunochromatographic assays (ICAs) are most frequently used for on-site rapid screening of clenbuterol.  This work has opened up a new route for signal amplification and improved performance of ICAs. 
ICAs
Bacteria can load a great deal of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on their surface, meaning much fewer antibodies are needed to produce clearly visible results, although low concentrations of antibody could also trigger fierce competition between free analyte and the immobilized antigen. 
AuNPs
An improved clenbuterol detection by immunochromatographic assay with bacteria@Au composite as signal amplifier.Immunochromatographic assays (ICAs) are most frequently used for on-site rapid screening of clenbuterol.  To improve sensitivity, a novel probe with bacteria as signal carriers was developed.  Bacteria can load a great deal of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on their surface, meaning much fewer antibodies are needed to produce clearly visible results, although low concentrations of antibody could also trigger fierce competition between free analyte and the immobilized antigen.  Analytical conditions, including bacterial species, coupling method, and concentration, were optimized.  Furthermore, inactivated bacteria could also be environment-friendly and robust signal carriers for other biosensors.
bacteria
Bacteria can load a great deal of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on their surface, meaning much fewer antibodies are needed to produce clearly visible results, although low concentrations of antibody could also trigger fierce competition between free analyte and the immobilized antigen.  Thus, a limited number of antibodies was key to significantly improved sensitivity. 
antibodies