MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES THAT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN GUM-ARABIC, GUM SEYAL AND COMBRETUM GUM

Seven hybridoma cell lines were raised that secrete monoclonal antibod ies which recognize the arabinogalactan protein, gum arabic, but not g um seyal. Of these, there are two groups. One has a high affinity for gum arabic when tested in both plate-trapped antigen ELISAs and compet ition ELISAs, and the binding of these antibodies is totally unaffecte d by heat treatment or pronase digestion of the gum. The other group h as a lower affinity for gum arabic, and the level of binding is almost eliminated by both periodate and pronase digestion of the gum bur is increased markedly when tested against heat-treated gums. From the for mer group, two monoclonal antibodies, OX FB8 and SY CC7, have been ide ntified which could be used in immunoassays for the detection and quan tification of gum arabic and combretum gum in mixtures of gums. SY CC7 is highly specific for gum arabic, whereas OX FB8 recognizes both gum arabic and combretum gum, but not gum seyal.