LYSOZYMES IN EGGS AND PLASMA FROM CHICKEN, DUCK AND GOOSE - CHOICE AND USE OF MABS TO DETECT ADULTERANTS IN FOIE-GRAS

Lysozymes from either egg-white or plasma were found to be different b y monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). For improving texture of ''foie gras'' or for economical reasons, adulterants such as fresh livers from chic ken or turkey or hen egg-white have been used. Duck or goose ''foie gr as'' were not detected by anti-duck lysozyme mAbs, while positive reac tions were obtained with anti-hen-egg-white lysozyme (HEWL). Similarly , anti-HEWL mAbs detected chicken or turkey fresh liver in duck or goo se ''foie gras'' even after heating at 80-degrees-C. In 110-degrees-C heated ''foie gras'' only mAbs HyHEL (hybridoma anti-hen-egg-white lys ozyme) 5 and HyHEL 10 were effective to detect fresh hen livers.