INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IN-VITRO ELISA MEASURES OF IMMUNOREACTIVE SOY GLOBULINS AND IN-VIVO EFFECTS OF SOY PRODUCTS

Concentrations of glycinin and beta-conglycinin were determined in 15 soy products using various enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) f ormats with specific polyclonal antisera (Pabs) and (or) monoclonal an tibodies (Mabs). Nine of these products were evaluated in. vivo for ap parent digestibility of nitrogen and plasma anti-soy antibody titers i n preruminant calves. In inhibition ELISAs, Mabs led to much higher va lues for antigen concentrations than Pabs. Compared to inhibition ELIS As with Pabs, two-site ELISAs associating Mabs and Pabs gave similar v alues for glycinin and higher values for beta-conglycinin. However, in vitro tests which best predicted in vivo responses to soy were those using inhibition with Pabs, particularly against native beta-conglycin in: with antigen concentrations correlation coefficients were negative for apparent digestibility of nitrogen and positive for anti-soy anti body titers. However, Mabs were more powerful tools for studying effec ts of treatments on soy immunoreactivity.