Characterization and application of a strain-specific monoclonal antibody against the rhizosphere bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Wa5.
A hybridoma cell line producing a rat monoclonal antibody (MAb Bo-33) directed against lipopolysaccharide of Azospirillum brasilense Wa5 has been established and characterized. Whole bacteria were used as immunogens. The number of antigens per cell was about 1500. The number of antigens per cell of reisolates from the rhizosphere of what was similar to the number of antigens of bacteria cultivated in rich medium. The sensitivity of detection using MAb Bo-33 was about 100 bacteria/ml. Therefore, the MAb was suitable for in situ immunofluorescence detection and a sensitive direct quantification of Azospirillum brasilense Wa5 in rhizosphere extracts.