Development of a sensitive ELISA for the determination of microcystins in algae.

Polyclonal antibodies for microcystin-leucine-arginine (MCYST-LR) were generated from rabbits after immunizing the animals with MCYST-LR conjugated with gamma-globulin. A competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cdELISA) and a competitive indirect ELISA (ciELISA) were used for the characterization of the antibodies and for analysis of the toxin in algal cultures and dietary supplements. The concentrations causing 50% inhibition (IC(50)) of binding of MCYST-horseradish peroxidase (MCYST-HRP) to the solid-phase antibodies by MCYST-LR, MCYST-arginine-arginine variant (MCYST-RR), MCYST-tyrosine-arginine variant (MCYST-YR), and nodularin (NODLN) in the cdELISA were found to be 0.

A Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Quantitation of Selected Peanut Proteins in Foods.

A sandwich-type, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of selected peanut proteins in foods. Monoclonal antibodies against a series of allergenic peanut proteins were used as the capture antibody. Food sample extracts were then added, and polyclonal rabbit antibodies directed against roasted peanut proteins were employed as secondary antibodies.

Production and Characterization of Antibody Against Deoxynivalenol Triacetate.

Antibodies against deoxynivalenol-triacetate (Tri-Ac-DON) was prepared by immunizing rabbits with a hemisuccinate derivative of 7,8 dihydroxycalonectrin (DHC) conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Using tritiated Tri-Ac-DON as the testing ligand, antibody titers were observed as early as 4 wk after immunization. Useful antibody for radioimmunoassay (RIA) of Tri-Ac-DON was obtained from the rabbits 7 wk after immunization, with one booster injection.

Production and Characterization of Antibody Against 3'-OH-T-2 Toxin.

Antibody raised against T-2 toxin cross-reacted poorly with 3'-OH-T-2 toxin. A new immunogen was prepared by conjugation of hemisuccinate (HS) of 3'-OH-T-2 toxin to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Antibodies against 3'-OH-T-2 toxin were demonstrated by a radioimmunoassay 10 wk after immunization of rabbits with this new immunogen using tritiated 3'-OH-T-2 toxin as the testing ligand.

Immunoassays for Analysis of Mycotoxins.

During the past few years, several laboratories have prepared specific antibodies against aflatoxins B, M, B and Q, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone. These antibodies were obtained from rabbits after immunizing with various mycotoxin-protein conjugates. With the availability of these antibodies, specific, simple and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedures for monitoring mycotoxins and their metabolites in foods, feeds and body fluids have been developed.