Author

Jingyun Wang

Date of Award

8-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Department

Chemical Engineering

Supervisor

Robert H. Pelton

Co-Supervisor

Carlos Filipe

Language

English

Abstract

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With a long-term view to developing bioactive paper that can detect pathogens both in the laboratory and in the field, it is important to understand whether wet-strength papers are suitable supports for antibodies. This thesis describes the influence of polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) and polyvinylamine (PVAm), which are typical wet-strength resins, on antibody activity. Two kinds of antibodies were employed: conventional Anti-Rabbit IgG (AR-Ab, whole molecules) and engineered anti-So aureus single domain antibody with cellulose binding domain (CBM-Ab). The results of the activity studies surprisingly showed that the typical loadings of reactive, cationic wet-strength polymers, used to strengthen wet paper, did not interfere with the antibody assays. However, higher content of wet-strength resins impeded the function of antibody. Also, conventional AR-Ab adsorbed very well and retained its functionality on paper surface without the aid of cellulose binding domain. A preliminary study was also performed to investigate the effect of alkylketene dimer (AKD), as a sizing agent, on AR-Ab activity. The results in the early stage revealed that AR-Ab functioned better on AKD-treated papers than on original paper.

McMaster University Library


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