Extraction and concentration method

Abstract

A method for extraction and concentration of antibodies, antigens, bacteria and virus from biological samples. The method also provides a preparation that is suitable for use as a vaccine. The method includes the addition of liquid carboxylic acids and a centrifugation step.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of extraction for a biological sample comprising: 
 (a) adding at least one liquid carboxylic acid to a liquid sample to form a first composition,    (b) mixing said first composition to form a second composition that contains an aqueous soluble product,    (c) centrifuging said second composition to form an aqueous layer and an oily layer, and    (d) harvesting said aqueous layer to produce a concentrated sample selected from the group consisting of proteins, bacteria, virus, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, caproic acid and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is a mixture of two carboxylic acids.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said mixture of two carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, and caproic acid.  
     
     
         5 . A method for extraction of a biological sample consisting essentially of: 
 (a) adding at least one liquid carboxylic acid to a biological sample to form a first composition,    (b) mixing said first composition to form a second composition that contains an aqueous soluble product,    (c) centrifuging said second composition to form an aqueous layer and an oily layer, and    (d) harvesting said aqueous layer to produce a concentrated sample selected from the group consisting of proteins, bacteria, virus, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said at least one carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, caproic acid, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is a mixture of two liquid carboxylic acids.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said mixture of two liquid carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, and caproic acid.  
     
     
         9 . A method for obtaining purified antibodies from a biological sample comprising: 
 a. adding at least one liquid carboxylic acid to a sample to form a first composition,    b. mixing said first composition to form a second composition that contains an aqueous soluble product,    c. centrifuging said second composition to form an aqueous layer and an oily layer,    d. harvesting said aqueous layer to produce an extracted and concentrated antibody sample,    e. dialyzing said antibody sample, and    f. passing said dialysate over a chromatographic column to obtain a purified antibody preparation.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, caproic acid, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is a mixture of two carboxylic acids.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said mixture of two carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, and caproic acid.  
     
     
         13 . A method for obtaining purified antibodies from a biological sample consisting essentially of:. 
 a. adding at least one liquid carboxylic acid to a sample to form a first composition,    b. mixing said first composition to form a second composition that contains an aqueous soluble product,    c. centrifuging said second composition to form an aqueous layer and an oily layer,    d. harvesting said aqueous layer to produce an extracted and concentrated antibody sample,    e. dialyzing said antibody sample, and    f. passing said dialysate over a chromatographic column to obtain a purified antibody preparation.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, caproic acid, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is a mixture of two carboxylic acids.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said mixture of two carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, and caproic acid.  
     
     
         17 . A method for detecting the presence of an infectious agent in a biological sample comprising: 
 a. adding at least one liquid carboxylic acid to a sample to form a first composition,    b. mixing said first composition to form a second composition that contains an aqueous soluble product,    c. centrifuging said second composition to form an aqueous layer and an oily layer,    d. harvesting said aqueous layer to produce an extracted and concentrated antibody sample,    e. adding said harvested aqueous layer to an assay to determine the presence of an infectious agent.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, caproic acid, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is a mixture of two carboxylic acids.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said mixture of two carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, and caproic acid.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said harvested aqueous layer is applied to a test strip containing antibodies directed to said infectious agent.  
     
     
         22 . A method for detecting the presence of an infectious agent in a biological sample consisting essentially of: 
 a. adding at least one liquid carboxylic acid to a sample to form a first composition,    b. mixing said first composition to form a second composition that contains an aqueous soluble product,    c. centrifuging said second composition to form an aqueous layer and an oily layer,    d. harvesting said aqueous layer to produce an extracted and concentrated antibody sample,    e. adding said harvested aqueous layer to an assay to determine the presence of an infectious agent.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, caproic acid, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said at least one liquid carboxylic acid is a mixture of two carboxylic acids.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said mixture of two carboxylic acids is selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, and caproic acid.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said harvested aqueous layer is applied to a test strip containing antibodies directed to said infectious agent.  
     
     
         27 . An extracted concentrated sample produced by the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         28 . An extracted concentrated sample produced by the method of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         29 . An extracted concentrated antibody produced by the method of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         30 . An extracted concentrated antibody produced by the method of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         31 . An extracted, concentrated infectious agent produced by the method of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         32 . An extracted, concentrated infectious agent produced by the method of  claim 22.