Stabilization of Dry Immuno-Diagnostic Kit with Immobilized Antibody and Determination of Its Shelf-Life

항체가 건조상태로 고정된 면역진단키트의 안정화와 Shelf-Life 결정

Stabilization of antibody, which is specific to Salmonella typhimurium antigens, present in dry states on membranes was accomplished, and its shelf-life, i.e., duration for maintaining minimum 90% of the initial activity, under optimal conditions was determined. To prepare two major components of an immuno-strip, the antibody was not only immobilized on nitrocellulose membrane surfaces but also placed within the pores of glass fiber membrane after conjugating it with old colloids as signal generator. Among potential stabilizers of the immuno-components, a disaccharide, trehalose, showed a significant protection effect of immunoglobulin structure from thermal energy. Optimal concentrations of trehalose for the respective component were significantly different (8-fold higher for the antibody-gold conjugate than for the immobilized antibody), which probably resulted from distinct densities and configurations of antibody present on the membranes. An additional requirement for the gold conjugate was freeze-drying of this substance such that the conjugate can be readily resolubilized upon contact with aqueous medium. By using the components prepared under optimal conditions, immuno-strips were constructed and exposed to thermal energy. Signals with less than 10% decrease in the intensity were maintained for approximately 21 days at 60$^{\circ}C$. Compared to previous reports, this result represented a 2-year shelf-life at room temperature. it was, however, two times longer if determined from thermal acceleration tests based on the theory of inactivation rate of protein. Such discrepancy between the two estimates could be mainly attributed to errors in accurately controlling temperatures and also to changes in the physical properties of membranes due to a high thermal energy.