Development of IgY antibodies in egg yolk against β-casomorphin-7

beta-casomorphins, the major bioactive peptides originating from bovine beta-casein, can be released during the manufacture of dairy products. IgY antibodies specific for beta-casomorphin-7 (fragment 60-66 of bovine beta-casein) have been raised in egg yolks. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the detection and quantitation of beta-casomorphin-7 using anti-beta-casomorphin-7 egg yolk antibodies. beta-lactoglobulin, alpha(s1)-casein and beta-casein did not interfere with the antibody at concentrations lower than 6,250 nmol/l. It is concluded that the assay developed might find applications in the detection and quantitation of beta-casomorphin-7 in milk products and in its further isolation for commercial utilization.