Abstract for the EGGstract^® IgY Purification System

Part# TB188
Printed in USA. Revised 6/09.
Instructions for Use of Products G2610, & G1531.

The EGGstract^® IgY Purification System provides a quick and easy method for the isolation of egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY), the ~180kDa chicken IgG homolog, from chicken egg yolks. The yolk of eggs laid by immunized chickens has been recognized as an excellent source of polyclonal antibodies (pAb). Because a single egg contains as much antibody as an average bleed from a rabbit, this simple, noninvasive approach represents an appealing alternative to the generation of pAb in rabbits. Additionally, IgY can be produced to antigens that fail to elicit a humoral immune response in rabbits or other mammals due to species relatedness.

Several methods have been described for the purification of IgY from egg yolks; however, these protocols consist of numerous time-consuming steps, including salting in, chromatography and dialysis. In contrast, the EGGstract^® IgY Purification System is a rapid and highly effective IgY purification method. The entire purification procedure can be performed in one hour, with roughly 30 minutes of hands-on time. Using this system, yields typically range between 40–80mg of approximately 75% pure IgY per egg. An optional second precipitation with Precipitation Solution B can increase IgY purity to approximately 90%. IgY purified using the EGGstract^® System is suitable for immunoblotting, ELISA, immunostaining and other standard immunological procedures. EGGstract^® System-purified IgY may be used in conjunction with Immobilized Anti-Chicken IgY for immunoprecipitations and affinity purification.