The pathological prion protein (PrPsc), which is the causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, was enriched and separated by using foam fractionation. For that purpose, the stem brain of deceased cows that suffered from BSE (mad cow disease) was homogenised, diluted and added with a surfactant (sodium dodecylsulphate) to facilitate foaming. In the first successively extracted samples, particulate components of the brain stem solution could be separated from the initial solution. In the following successively foamed samples, the proteins contained in the brain homogenate were also separated and enriched. The PrPsc in particular was enriched up to more than 140-fold in concentration compared to the initial solution. Thereby it was possible to test BSE positive a PrPsc infected brain that was previously tested BSE negative.     «

The pathological prion protein (PrPsc), which is the causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, was enriched and separated by using foam fractionation. For that purpose, the stem brain of deceased cows that suffered from BSE (mad cow disease) was homogenised, diluted and added with a surfactant (sodium dodecylsulphate) to facilitate foaming. In the first successively extracted samples, particulate components of the brain stem solution could be separated from the initial...    »