Visualization of specific components using immunolabelling

In medicine, proteins in tissues have commonly been labelled using antibodies (immunohistochemistry) in order to subsequently visualize them through microscopy. Today, there are also a number of antibodies available for labelling molecules found in food products. They are mainly used for cell wall components in various plant-based materials, for example fibres such as beta-glucan and arabinoxylan or polysaccharides such as pectin, alginate, and fucoidan. Some proteins can also be labelled, for example casein and beta-lactoglobulin.

We work with immunolabeling primarily using fluorescent antibodies, which are then visualized with the help of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), but we also have the capability to combine immunolabeling with transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Examples of when immunolabelling may be of interest:

• Localization of a specific substance in a product
• Analysis of how cell wall components have been affected by enzymatic treatment
• Process impact of a substance's localization in a product

In addition to food, we have the ability to work with other biological materials, e.g., plant materials or human and animal tissue. 

Examples:

• Differentiation markers in tissue
• Identification of different cell types in a tissue
• Investigate which cells express a certain protein