Development of sandwich ELISA for detection and quantification of invertebrate major allergen tropomyosin by a monoclonal antibody

Muscle protein tropomyosins of invertebrates are major allergens responsible for wide spread allergic reactions against invertebrates such as shellfish and insects. In order to develop a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) for detection and quantification of the invertebrate pan-allergen tropomyosin, a specific monoclonal antibody (MAb), CE7B2, was produced. We have successfully established a sandwich ELISA for measuring invertebrate tropomyosin concentrations in food and food materials. The sandwich ELISA system using the MAb CE7B2 is a useful tool to detect and quantify levels of tropomyosin in food. The method is also helpful to detect mite and cockroach tropomyosins, the important indoor allergens. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.