Characterization of Aerosolized Ovalbumin

Aerosol stability of ovalbumin at various environmental conditions was examined in terms of aerodynamic particle size / mass, particle concentration, and detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Aerosols of ovalbumin were generated in a 1000 liter dynamic aerosol toroid (OAT) drum and the aerosol was sampled over a two hour period with all-glass impingers (AGls) and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS"). Aerodynamic size and mass increases, associ- ated with increases in temperature and relative humidity, were shown to be small but statistically significant (P <:; 0.0014). A minimum of 50% of the aerosolized ovalbumin was detectable by ELISA after 2 h under all conditions tested. The stability of ovalbumin as demonstrated would allow it to be used as an aerosolized protein challenge material in biological defense testing under the temperature and humidity conditions tested.