(Received: July 18, 2006; Accepted: November 7, 2006)

ABSTRACT

   This study was aimed to develop a simple, fast, and reliable technique to detect fluoroquinolones (FQs) -conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA).  Four tested FQs, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin, danofloxacin, and orbifloxacin, were conjugated with BSA by following the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester method.  The technique was designed according to the different absorption characteristics of the FQs and BSA; FQs can be detected by both UV and fluorescence detectors, but BSA can only be detected by UV.  The results demonstrated that the developed method was efficient in detecting FQs-BSA conjugates.  In addition, the method not only trace the FQs and BSA conjugation responses but also can be used to estimate the level of FQs-BSA conjugation.  Therefore, this technique is a valuable tool for the detection drug-carrier-conjugated antigens, especially for FQs-BSA-conjugates during the production of anti-FQs monoclonal antibodies.