Development of an immunoassay to detect insect contamination of microalgal products
1997
Kitto, G.B. | McCalmont, M. | . | Belay, A.(Earthrise Farms, Calipatria, California (USA))
We have now demonstrated that a new immunoassay technique, which is based on the detection of insect myosin, provides a rapid and convenient means of quantitatively determining the amount of insect contamination in algal product samples with a high degree of replicability. Up to 30 samples can be tested in duplicate in 2.5-3 hours. In the immunoassay procedure the algal sample to be tested is processed by blending with an extraction fluid in a conventional household blender. A sample is then removed and briefly centrifuged. The supernatant from the centrifuged material is then used as the test sample in a myosin ELISA assay. Experiments were carried out with a variety of common algal contaminant insects, of various life stages, including Corixidae, Ephydridae, and Chironomidae using both Spirulina and Chlorella as typical algal materials. As little as one insect per 50 g of sample can readily be detected with excellent linearity between the number of insects present and the color produced in the ELISA assay. A matrix analysis to determine the ruggedness of the immunoassay was also carried out following the protocols of the AOAC International and established that minor departures in seven variables from the standard assay resulted in no substantial differences. The insect myosin assay thus offers a quantitative and reliable means for assessing insect contamination of algal materials and should be considered for adoption as a standard method for this type of product.
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