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Techniques

Reconditioning of ELISA Plates. L. W. Stobbs, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Research Station, Vineland Station, Ontario, L0R 2E0; J. G. Van Schagen, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Research Station, Vineland Station, Ontario, L0R 2E0. Phytopathology 76:483-486. Accepted for publication 18 November 1985. Copyright 1986 Department of Agriculture, Government of Canada. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-76-483.

Cleaning of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plates was achieved by sonication in a 0.5% solution of detergent at 60 C for 30 min, rinsing several times in distilled water, and drying at 55 C for 1 hr. Repeated cleaning and reuse of plates resulted in a decline in plate efficacy, likely the effect of reduced coating immunoglobulin adsorption to the polystyrene. Treatment of wells with 1% nitrocellulose after cleaning resulted in a significant improvement in plate performance, which allowed them to be used up to six times with only a marginal reduction in sensitivity compared to new plates. Polystyrene and polyurethane films were less effective regardless of pH or several chemical amendments.