Enzyme immunoassay for anatoxin-A. Phase 1. Final report, 15 August 1988-15 June 1989
The ability to detect the presence of naturally occurring toxins in the environment is important for the protection of military and civilian personnel. One such toxin of considerable interest is anatoxin a, a secondary metabolite of the cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) Anabena flos-aquae, which has been shown to be extraordinarily toxic. Numerous examples of animal deaths have been reported after drinking from lakes and ponds following blooms of this freshwater algae. This phase I report describes the results of an immunoassay development based on an ELISA format. Two different derivatives of anatoxin a were prepared and they were coupled to carrier proteins for use as immunogens, and to active enzymes for use as conjugates in an ELISA. Polyclonal antibodies to the immunogens have been raised in rabbits, and they have been found to be suitable for use in an ELISA. No current test procedure exists for anatoxin a in freshwater supplies despite the very real hazard presented by this naturally occurring toxin. The Army needs to have the capability of testing for the use of this material in biological warfare as well as for evaluating the suitability of drinking water sources in the field. The wide-spread occurrence of blue-green algae blooms in lakes and ponds indicates that a significant commercial market is available, particularly in the agricultural and water-treatment areas.
- Research Organization:
- Bio-Metric Systems, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7226939
- Report Number(s):
- AD-B-160618/5/XAB; CNN: DAMD17-88-C-8200
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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