Abstract: A homogeneous assay for determining the aflatoxin content in agricultural products uses the technique of fluorescence polarization. A solvent is used to extract aflatoxins from a sample of the agricultural product. A mixture is prepared by combining the extract with a tracer and with a monoclonal antibody specific for aflatoxin. The tracer is able to bind to the monoclonal antibody to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization. The tracer is prepared by conjugating an aflatoxin oxime to a suitable fluorophore. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured. The aflatoxin concentration of the mixture may be calculated using a standard curve obtained by measuring the fluorescence polarization of a series of aflatoxin solutions of known concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for detection of M. bovis-infected animals. A tracer, comprising a peptide of M. bovis protein MPB70 conjugated to a fluorophore, is added to a serum sample from an animal to form a mixture. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture in then measured and compared to the fluorescence polarization of a control. The present invention further provides a tracer for use in fluorescence polarization assay to detect antibodies specific for M. bovis. The tracer comprises a peptide of M. bovis protein MPB70 conjugated to a fluorophore, such that the tracer is able to bind to antibodies specific for M. bovis to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay for determining the aflatoxin content in agricultural products uses the technique of fluorescence polarization. A solvent is used to extract aflatoxins from a sample of the agricultural product. A mixture is prepared by combining the extract with a tracer and with a monoclonal antibody specific for aflatoxin. The tracer is able to bind to the monoclonal antibody to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization. The tracer is prepared by conjugating an aflatoxin oxime to a suitable fluorophore. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured. The aflatoxin concentration of the mixture may be calculated using a standard curve obtained by measuring the fluorescence polarization of a series of aflatoxin solutions of known concentration.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay for determining the deoxynivalenol (DON) content in grains uses the technique of fluorescence polarization. A grain extract is prepared by shaking a crushed grain sample with water. A mixture is prepared by combining the grain extract with a tracer and with monoclonal antibodies specific to DON. The tracer is able to bind to the monoclonal antibodies to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization. The tracer is prepared by conjugating DON to a suitable fluorophore. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured. The DON concentration of the mixture may be calculated using a standard curve obtained by measuring the fluorescence polarization of a series of DON solutions of known concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for detection of M. bovis-infected animals. A tracer, comprising a peptide of M. bovis protein MPB70 conjugated to a fluorophore, is added to a serum sample from an animal to form a mixture. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture in then measured and compared to the fluorescence polarization of a control. The present invention further provides a tracer for use in fluorescence polarization assay to detect antibodies specific for M. bovis. The tracer comprises a peptide of M. bovis protein MPB70 conjugated to a fluorophore, such that the tracer is able to bind to antibodies specific for M. bovis to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization.

Abstract: An antigenic protein includes a known amino acid sequence. To locate one or more epitopes of the antigenic protein, a plurality of distinct peptides are synthesized bound to respective solid-phase supports via selectively cleavable linkers. Each of the distinct peptides corresponds to a sub-sequence of the antigenic protein's known amino acid sequence. While the peptides are bound to their respective supports, they are conjugated to a fluorophore. The conjugated peptides are then selectively cleaved from their supports, and the fluorescence polarization of the free conjugated peptides is measured. The free conjugated peptides are each combined with an antibody that is able to bind to the antigenic protein, and the fluorescence polarization of the mixtures is measured. A substantial increase in fluorescence polarization of a mixture indicates the presence of an epitope.

Abstract: A homogeneous fluorescence polarization inhibition assay is used to test for Salmonella contamination, e.g., Salmonella cells, in a sample. The assay makes use of a tracer comprising a fluorophore conjugated to an oligosaccharide from a Salmonella cell wall lipopolysaccharide. The sample is added to an anti-Salmonella antibody to form a mixture, and a blank fluorescence polarization measurement is taken. The tracer is then added to the mixture. After incubation, the fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured and the blank reading is subtracted. The level of Salmonella contamination in the sample may be determined from the fluorescence polarization measured in this way.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay for determining the fumonisin content in grains uses the technique of fluorescence polarization. A grain extract is prepared by shaking a crushed grain sample with a solvent. A mixture is prepared by combining the grain extract with a tracer and with monoclonal antibodies specific to fumonisin. The tracer is able to bind to the monoclonal antibodies to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization. The tracer is prepared by conjugating fumonisin to a suitable fluorophore. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured. The fumonisin concentration of the mixture may be calculated using a standard curve obtained by measuring the fluorescence polarization of a series of fumonisin solutions of known concentration.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay for determining the deoxynivalenol (DON) content in grains uses the technique of fluorescence polarization. A grain extract is prepared by shaking a crushed grain sample with water. A mixture is prepared by combining the grain extract with a tracer and with monoclonal antibodies specific to DON. The tracer is able to bind to the monoclonal antibodies to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization. The tracer is prepared by conjugating DON to a suitable fluorophore. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured. The DON concentration of the mixture may be calculated using a standard curve obtained by measuring the fluorescence polarization of a series of DON solutions of known concentration.