Immunoprofiling of pectic polysaccharides

An assay is described for the rapid identification of unbranched homogalact uronan and branched components occurring in samples of pectic polysaccharid es using anti-pectin monoclonal antibodies. The assay involves the immunode tection of pectic polysaccharides after separation into two components duri ng the application in small volumes to nitrocellulose. In this system, homo glacturonan-rich components migrate further on the nitrocellulose in contra st to pectic components with abundant side chains, resulting in a clear sep aration and discrete rings of distinct polysaccharides that can be identifi ed using specific antibodies. This procedure is also directly applicable to preparations of plant material without the need for isolation of pectic po lysaccharides. (C) 1999 Academic Press.