Abstract: Dimers of avidin and streptavidins (diavidins) are described wherein the linker is suberate, which in turn, is bound to different functional groups (—NH2 o-COOH) of avidin. As compared to avidin, the diavidins have shown the ability to increase the amount of labelled biotin on the target, when used in an in vitropretargeting test using supported human tenascin, the biotinylated anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody (Mab-B), avidin/diavidin, and biotin-3H. The use of such diavidins is also described in cancer diagnosis and anticancer therapy based on the three-step pretargeted radioimmunotherapy procedure.

Abstract: An ELISA method with competitive inhibition is described for determining antisporozoite antibodies of P. Falciparum in human blood samples and in mosquito extract, which uses a single plate pretreated with only the synthetic antigen (NANP).sub.20 using, as total competitive inhibitor for the formation of the complex between the synthetic antigen adsorbed on the plate and the antibody contained in the sample, the (NANP).sub.20 synthetic peptide in a weight ratio of at least 20:1 with respect to the adsorbed antigen. Because of its high specificity, sensitivity and speed, the method is particularly suitable for epidemiological studies on malaria.

Abstract: An immunoenzymatic method for the detection of anti-Plasmodium falciparum-sporozoite antibodies in a sample of human blood, which operates, in homogeneous phase, and under suitable conditions, with a synthetic polypeptidic antigen (P), a synthetic antigen-enzyme (P-E) conjugate, wherein said antigen is capable of specifically reacting with the anti-Plasmodium falciparum-sporozoite antibodies (Ab) possibly present in the sample, and an inert substance capable of quantitatively precipitating the antibody-synthetic antigen-enzyme complex (Ab-P-E).The method, due to its specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility and rapidity, is particularly useful in the epidemiological investigations into malaria and in the evaluation of the efficacy of an antimalarial vaccine.

Abstract: A description is given, together with relative preparation processes, of a sensor containing an immunochemical membrane and a device of EOS or CHEMFET type containing surface silicon oxide adhering to said membrane via a polysiloxane matrix, characterized in that the immunochemical membrane is formed from a functionalized antigen or from the same functionalized antigen bonded to a protein, said immunochemical membrane being bonded chemically to the polysiloxane matrix by functional groups present on the same antigen or by bifunctional coupling agents.

Abstract: An immunoenzimatic method is disclosed for the detection and the measurement of anti-P. falciparum sporzoite antibodies in human blood and/or in its derivatives, which operates with a synthetic antigen-enzyme conjugate capable of forming with the antisporozoite antibodies a stable antibody-synthetic antigen-enzyme complex, and one or more proteins absorbed and/or covalently linked to a solid support, which eagerly bind the antisporozoite antibody of said complex.The method, thanks to its simpleness, specificity and rapidity, is particularly useful in epidemiologic investigations into malaria and into the efficacy of an antimalarial vaccine.

Abstract: A method for preparing nontoxic, edible proteinic concentrates adapted also for human nutrition, is disclosed according to which undesirable compounds such as polyphenols (e.g. chlorogenic and caffeic acids) are complexed by aluminum salts to prevent oxidizing these polyphenols to quinones.It is important that aluminum be constantly kept in soluble form to prevent it from being precipitated together with the proteins when protein-precipitating acidification is carried out.Citric acid has been found to be the best complexing agent.