GENERATION, PURIFICATION AND NEUTRALIZATION POTENTIAL OF CHICKEN EGG YOLK ANTIBODIES (IgY) AGAINST MASTITIS CAUSING ESCHERICHIA COLI AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Abstract

Laying hen when immunized with antigens of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, major etiological agent causing mastitis in dairy industries releases antibodies (IgY) which was purified and dialyzed. The concentration of antibodies increased steadily and reached a high titre by the 49^th day of Immunization. The antibody titre was assayed by ELISA with a high OD₄₉₀ value even at 1/10000 dilution. The protein estimation was done for antibodies by Lowry’s method and was found to be 3.67 mg/ml for E.coli and 3.94 mg/ml for S.aureus. Protein profile of IgY antibodies analyzed by SDS- PAGE showed a band with molecular weight of 180 KDa. Growth inhibition assay when performed with 2.5mg/ml of specific IgY against the bacterial antigens showed reduction in growth of E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These results indicate that antibodies generated in chicken can be used for diagnosis and therapeutic purposes in bovine mastitis.