# US 2004/0115748 A1 · Detection method

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- Number: US 2004/0115748 A1
- Document ID: US20040115748A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 10/468,691
- Filed: 2004-01-24
- Published: 2004-06-17
- Earliest claimed: 2001-02-23
- Assignees: Conidia Bioscience Limited
- Inventors: Joan Kelley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040115748A1

## CPC

- G01N 33/22: Fuels; Explosives
- G01N 33/56961: {Plant cells or fungi}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A method of analysis of a hydrocarbon fuel for the presence of a micro-organism comprises contacting a fuel sample with an aqueous diluent and with an antibody reactive with the micro-organism, or reactive with a metabolite or breakdown product produced by the micro-organism, to detect the presence or absence of the micro-organism.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1 A method of analysis of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel for the presence of a micro-organism, the method comprising contacting a fuel sample with an aqueous diluent and with an antibody reactive with the micro-organism, or reactive with a metabolite or breakdown product of the micro-organism, to detect the presence or absence of the micro-organism.

### Claim at position 2 (depends on 1)

2 A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises contacting the fuel and antibody in the presence of an emulsifier.

### Claim at position 3 (depends on 1, 2)

3 A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the emulsifier is a non-ionic detergent.

### Claim at position 4

4 A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the emulsifier is polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate.

### Claim at position 5 (depends on 4)

5 A method according to claim 4, wherein the emulsifier is used at a concentration of 0.01-10% by volume.

### Claim at position 6

6 A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is light-middle distillate fuel having a boiling point below 390° C.

### Claim at position 7

7 A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the micro-organism is Hormoconis resinae.

### Claim at position 8

8 A kit for use in the method according to any preceding claim, the kit comprising a sample of antigen specific to a micro-organism capable of growing in hydrocarbon fuel; an antibody reactive with that antigen; and an aqueous diluent containing an emulsifier.

### Claim at position 9 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

9 A method, kit or use according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the antibody has been prepared by exposure to a micro-organism, antigen, metabolite or derivative of that micro-organism which has been grown in hydrocarbon fuel.

### Claim at position 10

10 An antibody which has been prepared by exposure to a micro-organism, antigen, metabolite or derivative of that micro-organism which has been grown in liquid hydrocarbon fuel.