Abstract: A method for detecting boar taint in a pig sample is provided. Anti-skatole antibodies are combined in a reaction buffer with a pig sample to form a reaction mixture. After incubating, the amount of skatole-antibody complex formation is determined. In a particular embodiment, the method utilizes solid substrate-affixed antibodies in a competitive inhibition assay with an enzyme-labeled skatole analogue. Kits facilitating the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining glycosylated hemoglobin in a diluted blood sample includes binding of glycosylated hemoglobin to a specific monoclonal antibody and binding of nonglycosylated hemoglobin to a polyclonal antibody. The polyclonal antibody binds to all hemoglobin fractions and blocks the peroxidase activity thereof, except glycosylated hemoglobin bound to the monoclonal antibody which retains peroxidase activity. A beam of light having a wavelength of about 416 nm is passed through the assay medium and is absorbed by all hemoglobin fractions, bound or unbound, and this absorbance thereby provides a measure of total hemoglobin. Hydrogen peroxide and a peroxidase substrate are added. The substrate is oxidized by the peroxide to a product having an absorbance at a wavelength different from 416 nm, the oxidation being catalyzed by the retained peroxidase activity of the bound glycosylated hemoglobin. This absorbance provides a measure of glycosylated hemoglobin.