**Abbreviations**

DEX, dexamethasone; MRLs, maximum residue limits; ICA, immunochromatographic assay; GNP, gold nanoparticle; QD, quantum dots; FM, fluorescent microspheres; UCP, up conversion phosphorescence; LMs, latex microspheres; TRFM, time-resolved fluorescent microspheres; EDC, 1- ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride; NHS, N-hydroxysuccinimide; MES, 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid; OVA, ovalbumin; BSA, bovine serum albumin; Ag, antigen; Ab, antibody; BB, borate buffer; PB, phosphate buffer; LOQ, limit of quantitation; icELISA, indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CR, cross-reactivity; CV, coefficient of variation.
