title: An immunoassay for the measurement of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans in the indoor environment.
abstract: An inhibition enzyme immunoassay was developed for quantitation of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans in the indoor environment. Immunospecific rabbit antibodies were produced by immunization with bovine serum albuminconjugated laminarin.The laminarin calibration curve ranged from 40 to 3000 ng/ml.Another (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (curdlan) showed a similar inhibition curve, but was less reactive on a weight basis. Pustulan, presumed to be (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, also showed immunoreactivity in the assay. Control experiments indicated that this was due to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan structures. Other non-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucan polysaccharides did not react. (1-->3)-beta-Dglucan was detectable in dust from a variety of occupational and environmental settings. We conclude that the new assay offers a useful method for indoor (1-->3)-beta-Dglucan exposure assessment.
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Occupational Health Department of Environmental Sciences Wageningen Agricultural University PO Box 238 Wageningen 6700 AE The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douwes
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Doekes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montijn
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heederik
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brunekreef