Development of Recombinant Coat Protein for Detection of Banana Viruses

Abstract

One of the major constraints in banana production is viral diseases caused by Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), Banana bract mosaic virus (BBrMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Banana streak virus (BSV). Apart from incurring yield loss of about 40–100%, it affects germplasm multiplication and international exchange as viruses are primarily transmitted through planting materials other than being vector borne. Consequently, procuring quality disease free planting materials has been the foremost measure that should be considered with utmost importance, considering the latent period for viral disease symptoms to be showcased, especially in tissue cultured planting materials. Thus, it is very evident as to how important virus indexing is for banana producers and export-based enterprises. Although PCR-based detection methods are more sensitive and efficient, serological method-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is always preferred over it as it is both economical and reliable. Research always has been about perfecting the method to obtain quality antigen to raise antiserum whether it be partial purification of the virus from the infected sample or producing recombinant coat protein in vivo which now has taken up to protein production in vitro. Acknowledging both advantages and disadvantages of all the available methods, this chapter will walk you through the advances in research for developing viral antigen for raising antiserum so as to utilize them for 168serological based detection of banana. However, the fact that recombinant coat protein production has limitless applications other than in serological assay development cannot be ignored.