Isolation of chicken immunoglobulins (IgY) from egg yolk

Separating individual proteins from complex mixtures of molecules is the basis of many biochemical investigations. The method describes the separation of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) from chicken eggs using a series of physical and chemical separation techniques. The separation is rapid, and the success of each step is readily viewed on an SDS-polyacrylamide gel. IgY identity can be confirmed on a Western blot probed with enzyme-labeled anti-IgY antibodies. The method is a good illustration of protein separation when there is no enzyme activity to follow.