Method and apparatus for the quantitation and separation of contaminants from particulate materials
First Claim
1. A method for separating and quantitating a contaminant in a particulate material, comprising the steps:
- (i) contacting the particulate material with an immobilized biomolecule which binds specifically to a contaminant to be quantitated for a time sufficient for any contaminant present in the particulate material to bind to said biomolecule, to obtain a contaminant-immobilized biomolecule complex;
(ii) separating said contaminant-immobilized biomolecule complex and any residual immobilized biomolecule from the particulate material, to obtain a separated fraction; and
(iii) visually counting the amount of contaminant present in said separated fraction either by direct inspection with the naked eye or with the aid of a magnification device;
wherein said contaminant is insect parts and said immobilized biomolecule is immobilized chitinase.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Contaminants in particulate materials may be separated and quantitated by contacting the particulate material with an immobilized biomolecule which specifically binds to the contaminant, separating the contaminant-immobilized biomolecule complex from the particulate material, and counting the bound contaminant. The method may be conveniently carried out when the biomolecule is immobilized on a magnetic particle. An apparatus for carrying out the method contains a receptacle for receiving a reaction vessel and magnets positioned such that magnetic particles contained in the reaction vessel will be drawn to and adhere to the sides of the reaction vessel when placed in the receptacle.
40 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for separating and quantitating a contaminant in a particulate material, comprising the steps:
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(i) contacting the particulate material with an immobilized biomolecule which binds specifically to a contaminant to be quantitated for a time sufficient for any contaminant present in the particulate material to bind to said biomolecule, to obtain a contaminant-immobilized biomolecule complex; (ii) separating said contaminant-immobilized biomolecule complex and any residual immobilized biomolecule from the particulate material, to obtain a separated fraction; and (iii) visually counting the amount of contaminant present in said separated fraction either by direct inspection with the naked eye or with the aid of a magnification device; wherein said contaminant is insect parts and said immobilized biomolecule is immobilized chitinase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Chitinase immobilized on a support, wherein said support is magnetic and said support is an acrolein activated bead.
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10. A kit useful for the detection of a contaminant in a particulate material, comprising:
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(a) a carrier being compartmentalized to receive one or more container means in close confinement therein; and (b) a first container means comprising an immobilized bimolecule which binds specifically to a contaminant to be detected, wherein said bimolecule is chitinase and said chitinase is immobilized on a magnetic support which is an acrolein activated bead. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification