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CITRUS PROTEINS FOR USE IN FIELD DETECTION OF CITRUS BLIGHT USING IMMUNOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES CON OF 07/792,508
See also: US Patent Office Full Record

Patent Number: 5650151
Docket Number: 6295
Serial Number: 8369566
Date Patented: 07/22/1997
Patent Number: 5650151
Docket Number: 6295
Serial Number: 8369566
Date Patented: 07/22/1997
Patent Number: 5650151
Docket Number: 6295
Serial Number: 8369566
Date Patented: 07/22/1997

Agency:

Agricultural Research Service
Issued:
July 22, 1997

Abstract:
The invention relates to purified citrus blight proteins from which specific antibodies to the citrus blight leaf proteins are obtained. Such antibodies permit diagnosing of citrus blight by immunological techniques. The citrus blight is a worldwide problem resulting in enormous economic loss. The blight has been known to exist in Florida for over a century, and currently causes annual losses estimated at about $52 million. The ability to diagnose citrus blight early and sometimes even before symptoms appear is crucial in preventing economic loss.

Inventor:
Michael Bausher
USDA, ARS, Subtropical Plant Pathology Research
Orlando, Florida 32803-1419
(407) 897-7353
(407) 897-7309 (fax)
E-mail: mbausher@magicnet.net

Agency:
Agricultural Research Service
Date Filed:
Jan. 6, 1995

Abstract:
The invention involves using purified and isolated citrus blight leaf proteins as specific indicators to detect citrus blight. The isolated and purified citrus blight leaf proteins are extracted from citrus blighted leaves and have a molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 30,000 daltons. The citrus blight leaf proteins having a molecular weight of about 12,500 to about 13,000 daltons were separated and partially sequenced. Three proteins used to detect citrus blight have distinct amino acid sequences. The purified and isolated citrus blight leaf proteins are used to prepare antigens, which are used to prepare antisera. Specific antibodies to the citrus blight leaf proteins are obtained from antisera. Citrus blight can then be diagnosed using electrophoresis separation and immunological techniques.

Inventors:
Michael Bausher
USDA, ARS
Orlando, FL
(407) 897-7353

Industry Keywords:

Nondestructive Test for Citrus Blight in Oranges by Using Leaf Samples

Technology Description:

The invention is an immunological technique to pinpoint the presence of citrus blight using leaf samples. Citrus blight is a worldwide problem that can affect all citrus varieties resulting in yield and tree losses estimated at 65 to 70 million dollars a year to Florida growers. The problem has recently become more widespread. The invention uses leaf testing as a fast, nondestructive way to detect citrus blight without injury to young trees. The technology replaces current methods of analyzing zinc levels in bark or wood samples, which are expensive, time consuming, and can seriously affect the tree's metabolism.

Under the invention, proteins are extracted from citrus leaves and ground to a powder. Electrophoresis is used to determine the presence of citrus blight leaf proteins. Antigens are prepared from citrus leaf proteins using ammonium sulfate or acetone. The purified antigens are used to make an antisera that only reacts to citrus blight leaf protein and is non-reactive to healthy leaf protein fractions. The results are specific, sensitive, and allow diagnosis of citrus blight prior to any visible tree symptoms. The technology is applicable to the citrus industry. Companies engaged in the manufacture of diagnostic kits would also be interested in the technology.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 5,650,151, "Citrus Proteins for Use in Field Detection of Citrus Blight Using Immunological Techniques," which issued July 22, 1997.

Inventor:

Michael George Bausher
Horticulture & Breeding Research
Fort Pierce, Florida 34945
(561) 462-5918 / Fax: (561) 462-5986
mbausher@ushrl.ars.usda.gov

 
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