Determination of ergovaline in tall fescue by a specific monoclonal antibody

Abstract

A monoclonal antibody (EV5B3) was developed using a conjugate of ergovaline and bovine serum albumin linked at the indole N(1) of the ergovaline molecule. This resulted in an antibody specific for the distal cyclol peptide moiety of ergovaline. As a result the antibody was specific for ergot peptide alkaloids having an isopropyl group at the C(5') position of the peptide. In a competitive indirect ELISA (CI‐ELISA) the antibody could be used to detect ergovaline in plant material down to 16 ng g⁻¹, and the assay was highly correlated with the standard HPLC method of detection for this compound.

Keywords:

• Neotyphodium coenophialum
• Acremonium coenophialum
• fescue toxicosis
• endophyte