An immunoassay for the measurement of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans in the indoor environment.

An inhibition enzyme immunoassay was developed for quantitation of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans in the indoor environment. Immunospecific rabbit antibodies were produced by immunization with bovine serum albuminconjugated laminarin.The laminarin calibration curve ranged from 40 to 3000 ng/ml.Another (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (curdlan) showed a similar inhibition curve, but was less reactive on a weight basis. Pustulan, presumed to be (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, also showed immunoreactivity in the assay. Control experiments indicated that this was due to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan structures. Other non-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucan polysaccharides did not react. (1-->3)-beta-Dglucan was detectable in dust from a variety of occupational and environmental settings. We conclude that the new assay offers a useful method for indoor (1-->3)-beta-Dglucan exposure assessment.