Quantification, characterisation and safety testing of foot-and-mouth disease virus antigens eluted from alhydrogel vaccines.

Different methods for the elution and the concentration of FMDV-antigen from formaldehyde-inactivated alhydrogel vaccines were compared. With locally produced vaccines the best results were obtained if the antigen was eluted with potassium phosphate buffer and the concentration was performed by ultrafiltration. Final recoveries of 50% of the 140-S antigen could be obtained. For innocuity control 1-3 mg of 140-S antigen was eluted from 21 vaccine. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and iso-electric focusing patterns of eluted antigen will be discussed.