Higenamine (HM), an alkaloid found in various plant species, is obtained when norcoclaurine synthase selectively condenses dopamine and 4-hydroxypheny lacetaldehyde to give (S)-higenamine ((S)-HM). The World Anti-doping Agency has listed HM as a prohibited agent in athletics. As a result, many commercial, academic, and regulatory bodies across the globe are invested in finding a rapid method for (S)-HM detection. In the current study, a lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) was developed in which the relevant biosensor was generated as a conjugate of the monoclonal antibody against (S)-HM (namely, MAb E8) and colloidal gold nanoparticles. The HM-γ-globulin conjugates and rabbit anti-mouse IgG antibodies were placed in the test and control zones, respectively. The free (S)-HM molecules in the samples and the immobilized HM-γ-globulin conjugates competitively reacted with the developed biosensor in the LFA. An inverse relationship existed between the biosensors' visible response, which was noted by the variation in the intensity of a pinkish spot in the test zone, and the content of the free (S)-HM. The limit of detection of the developed LFA was 156 ng/mL. Various validation methods confirmed that the LFA exhibited sufficient sensitivity, selectivity, repeatability, and reliability, making it ideal for (S)-HM detection in plant samples and plant-containing products. The developed system required only a small sample volume (20 μL) and a concise sample preparation time compared with conventional LFAs. Thus, the LFA reported in this study could serve as a rapid response kit for the detection of (S)-HM in plant samples. K E Y W O R D S colloidal gold nanoparticles, higenamine, immunochromatographic test strips, lateral flow immunoassay, monoclonal antibody 1 | INTRODUCTION Higenamine (HM; 1-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroiso quinoline-6,7-diol, Figure 1) is a benzyl tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid derived from various plant species, including Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux. (Ranunculaceae), Nandina domestica Thunb., (Berberidaceae), Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae), and Asarum heterotrophies F. Schmidt (Aristolochiaceae). 1,2 Given its chiral character, studies have revealed that the norcoclaurine synthase conformational selectively condenses dopamine and 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde to form the specific enantiomer, (S)-HM. 3-5 From a pharmacological perspective, HM is a partial