The production of polyclonal antibodies against the mycotoxin derivative patulin hemiglutarate

The mycotoxin patulin is a toxic, carcinogenic, unsaturated lactone produced by a number of molds. Polyclonal antibodies against patulin hemiglutarate were produced. Specific antibodies against patulin alone, however, were not clearly demonstrated. Because of its low molecular weight, patulin required conjugation to bovine serum albumin (BSA) to increase its immunogenicity. Anti-patulin-hemiglutarate-BSA antibody titer and specificity were determined using indirect and indirect competitive ELISA, respectively. Immunoassays would facilitate detection and quantitation of patulin.Key words: patulin, mycotoxin, antibodies.