IMMUNOLOGICAL DETECTION OF ACETALDEHYDE-PROTEIN ADDUCTS IN ETHANOL-TREATED CARROT CELLS

Polyclonal antibodies able to recognize protein-acetaldehyde conjugate s were produced and characterized. The antibodies react with sodium cy anoborohydride-reduced Schiff's bases between acetaldehyde and a prote in, independently of the nature of the macromolecule binding the aceta ldehyde moiety. Only conjugates between acetaldehyde or propionaldehyd e and a protein are recognized; conjugates obtained with other aldehyd es are not reactive. Results concerning the formation of acetaldehyde adducts with carrot (Daucus carota L.) proteins are presented as well as the presence of such conjugates in ethanol-treated carrot cell cult ures, a system highly sensitive to the presence of ethanol in the cult ure medium.