Enhanced immunomagnetic separation for the detection of norovirus using the polyclonal antibody produced with human norovirus GII.4-like particles

Human norovirus (NoV) is the most common cause of foodborne viral gastroenteritis worldwide. This study was aimed to develop the enhanced immunomagnetic separation (IMS) for effectively concentrating and detecting human noroviruses in food matrix. Virus-like particles (VLPs) were made by integrating NoV GII.4 capsid gene into baculovirus vector. In order to increase the sensitivity and specificity of immunomagnetic complex, polyclonal rabbit antibody against NoV GII.4 capsid was produced and used for producing immunomagnetic beads. IMS, polyethylene glycol precipitation, and ultrafiltration were compared to concentrate NoV spiked in vegetables. IMS was the most efficient method for concentrating NoV. Therefore, IMS developed in this study is the most effective method to concentrate and detect NoV contaminated in produce.