Project Number: 6420-32000-012-01
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Aug 01, 2002
End Date: Jul 31, 2005

Objective:
Immunoassay (ELISA) is another analytical technique that employs antibodies as one of the detection reagents. Immunoassays are inexpensive, rapid and can be used on-site. Detection of environmental contaminants in water, soil and foods using immunoassay has been demonstrated with commercial kits for a variety of compounds. The proposed research when carried out to completion will create a safe, nutritious and affordable food supply as well as enhance the economic opportunities and quality of life, especially for people in rural areas by allowing catfish farmers and processors to detect and monitor off-flavor fish and pond water caused by MIB quickly and inexpensively, therefore decreasing the manufacturing cost and increasing profits.

Approach:
There will be two phases of the project. In phase one the proposed strategy will focus on creating polyclonal antibodies and several hybridoma cell lines that produce monoclonal antibodies, which react with MIB with sufficient selectivity, affinity and avidity to be used in a commercial immunoassay system. Phase two will begin once these antibodies are available. The commercial immunoassays to detect the off-flavor compound MIB in water and fish tissue will be developed and validated. One of the goals of phase II would be to deliver an immunoassay that is low cost and easy to use for the catfish industry. Phase I could serve as a catalyst for the development of commerical immunoassays for test and monitoring of additional compounds known to cause off-flavor in agricultural commodities.

Project Team

Shelby, Richard

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Aquaculture (106)