PRODUCTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST BENZODIAZEPINES FOR COMPETITIVE ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY DETECTION IN PLANT-EXTRACTS

Polyclonal antibodies were obtained against oxazepam (benzodiazepine B Z), for an enzyme immunoassay to detect benzodiazepine-like compounds in potato extracts. The mouse anti-BZ antibodies showed a high affinit y for six synthetic benzodiazepines, detected eight others with interm ediate affinity and did not recognise two benzodiazepines at all. Natu ral benzodiazepine-like substances were evaluated in potato extracts u sing a competitive immunoassay which can detect a minimal concentratio n of less than 0.06 ng/mL of homologous benzodiazepine. The assay is a simple and valuable method for the quantification of BZ-like compound s and makes it possible to start a breeding program to increase or red uce the BZ-like content in many crops and to improve the quality of ve getable foods.