Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Peptide – protein or amino acid
Patent
1998-02-02
1999-11-09
Alexander, Lyle A.
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Peptide, protein or amino acid
436164, 436166, G01N 3348, G01N 3368
Patent
active
059812877
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates in first instance to a method for the investigation of house dust with respect to a potential for inducing allergic reactions.
It is a general observation that allergies and allergic reactions occur on a large scale and are even on the increase. Contamination present even in homes and households, such as mite excrement, moulds, pollen, certain plant fragments of grasses and birches and also epidermal scales, are held particularly responsible for this. It is attempted, using known cleaning techniques, to remove this contamination, such contamination then accumulating as constituents of the collected house dust. There is therefore a need to be able to check effective collection and removal of the house dust. There is further also a need to determine to what extent house dust on the whole, as a measurement of an allergic potential, is mixed with the above-mentioned contamination. From this, it is also possible, for example, to obtain an indication to search for particular sources of contamination.
Starting from this, a technical problem of the invention is seen as providing a method for the investigation of house dust which allows conclusions on an allergic potential of house dust to be drawn. Furthermore, a technical problem is also to be seen as providing a suitable means or a device for this purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problems pointed out are in first instance substantially solved by the subject of claim 1, wherein the house dust under investigation is treated with a protein detector for the determination in order of size of protein-containing constituents contained in the house dust. According to the invention, it has been identified that virtually all the above-mentioned allergenic constituents of house dust are made up of proteins or have protein constituents. It was further recognized that a characterization, in particular a proportional characterization of these protein-containing constituents in house dust, is simultaneously a measure of the potential of the house dust concerned for inducing allergic reactions. In further detail, it is provided that the protein detector is a dye which preferably reacts to protein-containing constituents of the house dust, in particular precipitates, by a change in colour. In this embodiment of the method, it is possible in a simple manner by means of the colour intensity to determine the proportion in order of size of the constituents of house dust which potentially induce allergic reactions. The colour intensity developed after the action of the protein detector on the house dust is used for this purpose.
In a further preferred embodiment of the process, it is provided that pyrogallol is used as a dye. Specifically, there is in question the Pyrogallol Red-Mo complex, reference to "pyrogallol" additionally including this. The use of a dye and in particular of the dye pyrogallol generally for the investigation of house dust is also considered as a--further and independent--subject of the application. In the case of pyrogallol, with respect to proteins or protein-containing particles, colouration in a violet or even blue colour shade is to be observed, while the dye itself is initially reddish. With respect to the detector, it is further recommended that the dye be dissolved in a liquid. As constituents, this liquid may in particular contain a buffer composition and preferably stabilizing additives. The buffer composition serves to prevent pH changes of the liquid leading to a premature precipitation or change in colour intensity of the dye.
In a further preferred embodiment, at least with respect to an application in which a very small amount of house dust is to be investigated, it is proposed that the liquid contain a solvent. A preferred solvent in further detail is denatured alcohol, for example 50% strength, denatured alcohol or 0.2 molar HCl/glycerol buffer mixed in the ratio 1:1 with 96% strength, denatured alcohol. At the same time, the alcohol also has the advantageous combinative effec
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Poch Heike
Sauer Ralf
Sinclair Norman
Volker Wolfgang
Alexander Lyle A.
Farber Martin A.
Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
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