Abstract
Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies have been raised against the soya (Glycine max L) 11S storage protein, glycinin. The characteristics of the antibodies have been studied using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting techniques. The polyclonal antibodies showed strong recognition of the storage proteins from pea, and smaller but significant interactions with storage proteins from other seeds. Two monoclonal antibodies were virtually completely soya specific, recognising different continuous epitopes from the acidic polypeptides believed to be present on the surface of the native protein. A third monoclonal showed a much wider specificity in the ELISA, including the recognition of certain storage proteins from other seed types to a greater extent than soya. The epitope for this antibody may have been present on the surface of the native protein and was discontinuous, dependent on spatial organisation for recognition.