One-Step and Quick Diagnostic Methods for Ballast Water Control

Abstract

Developing the convenient methods for microalgal (10-50 μm in size) detection, and judgement of the organisms’ dead or alive in treated ballast water has become a hot issue these days. Conventional microscopic method for these purposes is often laborious, tedious, and time-consuming. It also requires well-trained and disciplined zoo- and phyto-plankton investigators. Thus, easy, quick, accurate and efficient methods which could be utilized by ordinary, untrained people, and/or non-scientists, are necessary to overcome these difficulties. For these reasons, first, we have developed the immunochromatography based one-step kits for microalgae detection using monoclonal antibodies raised against particular proteins of microalgal species. The kits were proved to be efficient in microalgal detection. Second, we have found that the cell viability assay would be the powerful candidate for dead or alive judgement. Thus, these two tools could be applicable to the judgment of D2 standard which specifies the levels of viable organisms left in treated ballast water. often laborious, tedious, and time-consuming. It also requires well-trained and disciplined zoo- and phyto-plankton investigators. Thus, easy, quick, accurate and efficient methods which could be utilized by ordinary, untrained people, and/or non-scientists, are necessary to overcome these difficulties. For these reasons, first, we have developed the immunochromatography based one-step kits for microalgae detection using monoclonal antibodies raised against particular proteins of microalgal species. The kits were proved to be efficient in microalgal detection. Second, we have found that the cell viability assay would be the powerful candidate for dead or alive judgement. Thus, these two tools could be applicable to the judgment of D2 standard which specifies the levels of viable organisms left in treated ballast water.