The possible application of monoclonal antibodies in Elisa for detection of tulip breaking virus

Hybridomas to purified tulip breaking virus (TBV) were produced by H.T. Hsu (American Type Culture Collection). The cell lines were selected in ELISA by a direct coating of the purified virus to the plates. Ascites, containing monoclonal antibodies to TBV, were tested on their activity to other purified viruses of bulbous crops. The results show that ascites react well with purified TBV, and some of them with other, purified, potyviruses as well. Also, the ascites were tested for their use in the detection of TBV in plant material, in comparison to polyclonal antibodies. The antibodies were used for indirect or direct detection, after a direct or indirect coating with mono- or polyclonal antibodies. With purified TBV, practically all monoclonal antibodies reacted better with a direct coating of the virus than with an indirect coating using polyclonal antibodies. A direct coating with diseased plant material did not yield high ELISA values. A coating with monoclonal antibodies derived from one cell line hardly gave any ELISA values, neither for purified virus, nor for diseased material. Therefore, for the detection of TBV in plant material polyclonal antibodies are still preferred to monoclonal antibodies.