Abstract
The effect of different materials and methods for filter elution on potato antigen yield was studied using parallel airborne dust samples from a potato processing plant. Sonication plus vortexing showed on average a 13% higher yield than gentle shaking. Type of filter (glass fiber or Teflon®), elution buffer (phosphate or bicarbonate), and the addition of 0.05% Tween–20 to the elution buffer had no significant effect on antigen yield. Addition of 0.5% Tween–20 instead of 0.05% resulted in a mean increase of 11%. The authors conclude that potato antigens can be readily eluted from airborne dust sampled on filters, and that the type of filter, elution buffer, and elution conditions have little effect on elution efficiency. Similar studies should be performed for other antigens of interest.