Detection method

Abstract

A method of analysis of a hydrocarbon fuel for the presence of a micro-organism comprises contacting a fuel sample with an aqueous diluent and with an antibody reactive with the micro-organism, or reactive with a metabolite of breakdown product produced by the micro-organism, to detect the presence or absence of the micro-organism.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of analysis of a sample of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel for the presence of  Hormoconis resinae , the method comprising the steps of:
 1) emulsifying the liquid fuel sample by vigorously mixing the liquid fuel sample with an aqueous diluent containing an emulsifier;   2) contacting the emulsified mixture with antibodies specific for an antigen that is a metabolite produced by  Hormoconis resinae  which is recoverable from liquid hydrocarbon fuel when  Hormoconis resinae  is grown in contact with the liquid hydrocarbon fuel; and   3) detecting the presence or absence of bound antibodies in the sample;   
       wherein the method provides a result within two hours from step 1, and wherein the detection of bound antibodies indicates the presence of  Hormoconis resinae  which is actively growing in liquid hydrocarbon fuel. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier is a non-ionic detergent. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the emulsifier is polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the emulsifier is used at a concentration of 1-10% by volume. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is light-middle distillate fuel having a boiling point below 390° C. 
     
     
         6 . A kit for analyzing a sample of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel for the presence of  Hormoconis resinae , the kit comprising:
 1) a homogenized preparation of  Hormoconis resinae , wherein the Hormoconis resinae in the homogenized preparation was grown in contact with liquid hydrocarbon fuel;   2) antibodies specific for an antigen recoverable from the liquid hydrocarbon fuel after the  Hormoconis resinae  was grown in contact with the liquid hydrocarbon fuel; and   3) an aqueous diluent containing an emulsifier.   
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , further including a substrate to which the antibodies are immobilized. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the substrate is a microtiter plate. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 6 , further including a lateral flow device to which the antibodies are immobilized. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel sample is not filtered prior to the step of contacting the mixture or one phase thereof with the antibodies. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibodies are not incubated with a filter used to filter the sample of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel.