ABSTRACT
A multiplex real-time isothermal amplification assay was developed using molecular beacons for the detection of Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus by targeting four important virulence genes. A correlation between targeting highly accessible DNA sequences and isothermal amplification based molecular beacon efficiency and sensitivity was demonstrated using phi(Φ)29 DNA polymerase at a constant isothermal temperature of 30 °C. It was very selective and consistently detected down to 10(1) copies of DNA. The specificity and sensitivity of this assay, when tested with pure culture were high, surpassing those of currently used PCR assays for the detection of these organisms. The molecular beacon based real-time isothermal amplification (MBRTIA) assay could be carried out entirely in 96 well plates or well strips, enabling a rapid and high-throughput detection of food borne pathogens.
ABSTRACT
A rapid, simple, and reliable competitive immunoassay was developed for measurement of lead ions in spiked food samples. Avian antibodies were produced against Pb(II). Since lead ions are too small to elicit an immune response, the metal was coupled to protein carrier Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) using a bifunctional chelator 1-(4-isothiocyanobenzyl) ethylenediamine N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (ITCBE). Poultry birds (layers) were immunized with this Pb(II)-ITCBE-BSA immunoconjugate and avian antibodies (IgY) were isolated from egg yolk. This avian antibody (IgY) produced recognized Pb(II)-ITCBE complexes as capture reagent. The assay depended on a competitive binding reaction between the antibody and Pb(II). Antibody reaction was optimized for different concentrations of antigen and antibody dilutions. Cross reactivity with other metals were below 1% in competitive ELISA. The detection range and the detection limit were 0.02-1000 mg · kg⻹ and 0.2 mg · kg⻹, respectively. Spike recovery studies in different food samples showed that the avian antibodies could recognize Pb(II) in food samples without much matrix effect.