Purification, Serology and Prevalence of Broad Bean True Mosaic Comovirus (BBTMV)

Broad bean true mosaic virus was purified from infected faba bean plants. The UV absorption spectrum had a maximum at 260 nm and a minimum at 240 nm. The ratios of A sub(max)/A sub(min) and A sub(260)/A sub(280) were 1.48 and 1.71, respectively. The yield of purified BBTMV preparation was about 1.57 mg kg super(-1) infected leaves. Production of specific antiserum against BBTMV was obtained by rabbit immunization using three different methods of injections. The titer of the prepared antiserum as determined by indirect ELISA with dilution of tissues 1/5 was 1/1024. Purification of the immunogamaglobulin G and conjugate of IgG with alkaline phosphatase were carried out to be used for ELISA detection. The concentrations of IgG and IgG conjugated with alkaline phosphatase were 1.0 mg mL super(-1) and 1:1000, respectively. Antiserum produced specific to BBTMV was used for virus detection by using different serological diagnostic methods. The percentages of virus detection in leaves, stems were higher than that in roots; on the other hand the percentages of virus detection in anthers and pistils were higher than that in sepals.