POLYCLONAL AND MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES TO FIELD AND STORAGE FUNGI

A polyclonal antibody (PAb) and a monoclonal antibody (MAb) were raise d against Penicillium aurantiogriseum var. melanoconidium. Cross-react ivity studies were carried out against 10 'field' and 27 'storage' fun gi. The PAb and MAb cross-reacted with 33 and 37 of these fungi, respe ctively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using these antibod ies on extracts of barley inoculated with the homologous antigen, show ed a clear relationship between absorbance and amount of fungal growth . It is suggested that these antibodies could be used in a broad-spect rum assay to determine the fungal content in feeds and food.