ULTRASONIC PURIFICATION OF 2 ILLINOIS ISOLATES OF BARLEY YELLOW DWARFVIRUSES

Ultrasonic disruption was used to purify two Illinois strains of barle y yellow dwarf viruses (BYDV-RMV-IL and BYDV-PAV-IL). The relative eff iciencies of ultrasonic disruption and repeated blending were compared in the purification of BYDV-RMV-IL. Ultrasonic disruption, repeated b lending, and treatment with an industrial grade macerating enzyme (Ext ractase P20X) were compared in the purification of BYDV-PAV-IL. Sonica tion and repeated blending produced comparable yields of BYDV-RMV-IL. Use of sonication during extraction of BYDV-PAV-IL yielded an average of 1.5-fold more virus than did repeated blending. Yields from sonicat ed tissue were half of those obtained with Extractase P20X, but virus preparations were more pure, as determined by A(260)/A(280) ratios, an d could be used directly as immunogens. Moreover, BYDV-PAV-IL could be purified one day faster by ultrasonic disruption than by enzyme extra ction.