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Title: DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIRECT ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOABSORBENT ASSAY USING A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TO IDENTIFY CHANNEL CATFISH, ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS (RAFINESQUE), FILLETS

Author
item McNulty, Shawn
item Klesius, Phillip

Submitted to: Aquaculture Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2005
Publication Date: 10/1/2005
Citation: McNulty, S.T., Klesius, P.H. 2005. Development of an indirect enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody to identify channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), fillets. Aquaculture Research 36, 1279-1284.

Interpretive Summary: The deceptive marketing of imported basa, Pangasius bocourti, fillets as catfish fillets has resulted in serious economic losses to the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, industry in the U.S. An accurate and sensitive method was needed to differentiate uncooked, cooked, and/or marinated channel catfish fillets from basa fillets and other fish products. We developed a rapid test that can identify channel catfish fillets using a monoclonal antibody. Using this test, 100% of raw and cooked channel catfish fillets were correctly identified and differentiated from other fish fillets.

Technical Abstract: The deceptive marketing of imported basa, Pangasius bocourti (Sauvage), fillets as catfish fillets has resulted in serious economic losses to the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), industry in the U.S. The similar appearance of channel catfish and basa fillets caused a need for a rapid method to differentiate uncooked, cooked, and/or marinated channel catfish fillets from basa fillets and other fish products. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for a 36.8 kDa channel catfish fillet protein was produced and characterized by an indirect enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) and western blotting. This MAb was used to develop an indirect ELISA specific for a unique channel catfish fillet protein. To develop the sensitive ELISA for identification of channel catfish fillets, MAb 1A10 was used as the detection antibody. Using this ELISA, 100% of raw and cooked channel catfish fillets were correctly identified and differentiated from other fish in a single blind study. These results show that the indirect ELISA using MAbs specific for a unique channel catfish fillet protein is a rapid and sensitive method for the identification of raw and cooked channel catfish fillets.