Antibodies in water immiscible solvents. Immobilized antibodies in hexane

Anti-progesterone antibodies covalently coupled to paramagnetic particles (PMPs) retain their immunologic activity to progesterone in hexane as solvent. Although reaction rates appear slowed, activity is not lost. The antibodies still bind similar quantities of antigen to those bound in aqueous solution. It is most likely that the increased reaction time is the result of a phase transfer. The immobilized antibodies are present in an aqueous phase, while the antigen is present in the more soluble organic solvent phase.