DEVELOPMENT OF IGY ANTIBODIES IN EGG-YOLK AGAINST BETA-CASOMORPHIN-7

beta-casomorphins, the major bioactive peptides originating from bovin e beta-casein, can be released during the manufacture of dairy product s. IgY antibodies specific for beta-casomorphin-7 (fragment 60-66 of b ovine beta-casein) have been raised in egg yolks. An enzyme-linked imm unosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the detection and quan titation of beta-casomorphin-7 using anti-beta-casomorphin-7 egg yolk antibodies. beta-lactoglobulin, alpha(s1)-casein and beta-casein did n ot interfere with the antibody at concentrations lower than 6,250 nmol /l. It is concluded that the assay developed might find applications i n the detection and quantitation of beta-casomorphin-7 in milk product s and in its further isolation for commercial utilization.