An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of Clostridium aldrichii in anaerobi ligesters*

摘要

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) againstClostridium aldrichiiwere prepared byin vivoandin vitroimmunization with whole cells and produced after fusion as ascites in BALB/c mice. Anenzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test for specificity and sensitivity of the Mabs to detectCl. aldrichii.The lower limit forCl. aldrichiidetection in pure and mixed culture with ELISA was 105cells ml‐1. Twentyother species of bacteria, including 12 celluloytic species, were tested for cross‐reactivity with the ELISA, but none was detected. The ELISA was used for detection ofCl. aldrichiiover a 16‐month period in five mesophilic continuously‐stirred tank reactors((CSTR) with wood, glucose, sludge or sorghum as substrates. The population ofCl. aldrichiiin the poplar wood anaerobic digester effluentwas 106‐107cells ml‐1over that time. These numbers were confirmed by anaerobic microbiological methods. Results from the ELISA technique were obtained in 36 hvs3 weeks for culture methods. It is concluded that the ELISA is a useful, time‐saving method for identification, detection and quantification ofCl. aldrichiiin axenic, mixed culture, and in complex undefined cultures such as those found in anae