Monoclonal antibody production and immunochemical detection of polyether antibiotics.

Polyether antibiotics such as monensin and salinomycin have been primarily used as coccidiostat and growth promoter. Since residues of these antibiotic in food may pose a health risk for sensitive individuals, their use should be carefully monitored. An immunochemical method was developed for the determination of polyether antibiotic using monoclonal antibody (Mab) produced by immunized mice. Conjugates of monensin, salinomycin and laidlomycin were prepared with bovine serum albumin (BSA), keyhole limpet haemocyanine (KLH) and ovalbumin (OVA) by mixed anhydride method and then used as immunogene to produce Mab. Eight hybridoma cell lines were isolated that produced Mabs that competed with polyether antibiotic-protein conjugates in BALB/c-SP2/0 fusion system. Two hybridoma with higher sensitivity, designated as 4G11F and 1C8F1F, were cultured for mass production and then purified from ascites fluid. Antibiotic-protein conjugates were quantitavely analyzed by using the purified Mabs through a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).