DEVELOPMENT OF A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY-BASED IMMUNODETECTION ASSAY FOR BOTRYTIS-CINEREA

Three hybridoma cell lines secreting antibodies that specifically recognize Botrytis cinerea and B.fabae, but not B. allii, have been raised from splenocytes of mice immunized with a low molecular-weight fraction (30 kDa) from surface washings of B. cinerea. Antibodies from these cell lines have been used to develop an antigen-based ELISA test that will detect B. cinerea in strawberries. This monoclonal antibody immunoassay detection assay should prove useful to both the cut-flower and wine industries. Supernatants from the three specific cell lines recognize mycelial fragments, saline extracts of mycelia and germinating conidia by both ELISA and immunofluorescence. Recognition of non-germinating spores is poor. Supernatants from the specific cell lines did not recognize other fungi normally involved in post-harvest spoilage of fruits and vegetables. Supernatants from KH4 gave the lowest background values with healthy tissue. Indirect evidence from heat, protease and periodate treatment of the antigens indicates that antibodies from all three specific cell lines are recognizing carbohydrate epitopes on a glycoprotein.