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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #69012
Title: IMMUNOASSAYS FOR DETECTING CONTAMINATION OF FOODS

Author
item KITTO, G - UNIV TEXAS - AUSTIN
item Burkholder, Wendell
item BRADER, BOB - BIOTECT, INC - AUSTIN, TX

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Maintaining the quality of foods including stored food products at a high standard requires constant testing of these materials for contaminants. We have developed a set of modern, simple immunoassays which provide a means for reliable contaminant analysis of a broad variety of foodstuffs. These low cost tests are quantitative, give excellent replicability and require little training. The immunoassays are colorimetric, in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format, with increasing levels of contamination resulting in higher color production. One of these tests for assaying the general level of insect contamination by both live and dead insects and their remains, is based on the detection of insect muscle myosin. This assay detects common stored product insect pests and is applicable to a variety of grains and grain products as well as to other types of foods such as nuts, spices, dried fruits and vegetables. Additional tests are currently available in a typical ELISA microwell strip format, with results being read on an ELISA colorimeter. Work is also underway on comparable procedures for detecting the presence of rodent and bird excreta in foods. For on- site testing, such as at loading docks, at field facilities or as part of quality control in a processing stream, very rapid, simple qualitative test-strip assays are in the advanced stages of development.