Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a slow-release excipient consisting mainly of cross-linked amylose in the form of solid particles, for use in the preparation of tablets or pellets. A starch containing a high amount of amylose (high amylose starch) is first subjected to a gelatinization. The gelatinized high amylose starch is then cross-linked with 1 to 5 g of a cross-linking agent per 100 g of dry-based gelatinized high amylose starch in an alkali medium, thereby forming a reaction medium containing a reaction product consisting of a cross-linked high amylose starch slurry. The obtained reaction medium is neutralized, thereby forming by-products mainly consisting of salts, which are removed from the reaction medium. The recovered cross-linked high amylose starch slurry is then subjected to a thermal treatment at a temperature of at least 60.degree. C. and the thermally treated product is dried to obtain the requested slow release excipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody raised against a mouse monoclonal antibody or fragments thereof specific to at least one diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxin selected from the group consisting of okadaic acid and derivatives thereof. The anti-idiotypic antibody is characterized by reacting only with antibodies to okadaic acid and derivatives thereof but not with antibodies directed against any other compounds. The anti-idiotypic antibody is further characterized by being an internal image of okadaic acid and derivatives thereof. A hybridoma producing an anti-idiotypic antibody in accordance with the present invention has been deposited at the ATCC under accession number HB 10768. Competitive solid-phase assays for determining the amount of okadaic acid and derivatives thereof in marine samples are also provided in accordance with the present invention.