Introduction of Cobetter NC Membrane for Immunochromatography Applications

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Diagnosic

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pathogen that can cause respiratory tract infections in humans, has a small genome, limited biosynthetic capacity, and inability to independently synthesize sterols. There are many laboratory testing methods for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, among which is the MP serological testing. Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibody determination: MP-IgM antibodies generally appear 4 to 5 days after infection and reach their peak after 3 to 4 weeks, and can be used as a diagnostic indicator of early infection.

There are currently 112 Mycoplasma pneumoniae-related test kits registered with the Chinese Nacional Medical Products Administration including 105 domestic reagents and 7 imported reagents, involving various detection methods such as colloidal gold, enzyme-linked immunoassay, and fluorescent PCR.

Nitrocellulose Membrane

Nitrocellulose membrane, also known as NC membrane, is the reaction membrane of lateral immunochromatography test strips. Lateral flow chromatography test strips mainly include four parts: sample pad, conjugate pad, reaction membrane (NC membrane) and absorbent pad.

Figure 1 Cobetter NC Membrane

The NC membrane is where the immune reaction occurs in the lateral immunochromatography test strip and is the most important membrane material of this product. The function of the NC membrane is to specifically immobilize specific target molecules by adsorbing them on the detection line (T line) and control line (C line), and at the same time, the detection conjugate of the sample is guided to flow to the reaction area.

Introduction of Cobetter NC Membrane

Cobetter's development of NC membranes for lateral immunochromatography was initiated in 2020 and has overcome a series of technical challenges to successfully develop NC membranes (NC95C and NC140C) with excellent performance and consistency. In addition, Cobetter is working to develop a series of NC membranes with different pore sizes/climbing speeds to meet the various production needs of lateral immunochromatography diagnostic manufacturers. 

Features

• High porosity, excellent protein binding ability, high sensitivity and rapid detection.
• Extraordinary hydrophilicity, instant wetting to ensure consistent lateral flow rate.
• Low background allowing longer exposure time, lowering interference on test results.
• Smooth surface with no defect.
• High consistency ensures accurate and reliable test results.

Performance Parameter

Figure 4 NC95C Latex Method (400nm particle size) Application Simulation Test

Cobetter NC Membrane Applications-Dection technologies

Immunochromatography based on lateral flow, such as：

• Colloidal Gold Immunochromatography Assay (GICA）
• Latex Immunochromatography Assay
• Fluorescence Immunochromatography Assay

Figure 6 Applications for Test Strip with Cobetter NC membrane