Hsieh has developed monoclonal antibodies for use in meat species identification tests. The monoclonal antibodies serve as probing agents in a liquid solution, or detective reagent. This latest in bio-technology research can be reproduced easily and in large quantities. It's important because food handlers are constantly on guard against contamination and mixing of unidentified meats, which is against federal and state food labeling laws. Hsieh says monoclonal antibodies provide qualitative and quantitative results.
Current tests tell only if beef is beef and pork is pork.
Hsieh's test tells how much beef is in turkey and how much pork is in chicken. Monoclonal antibodies also provide for accurate test results whether the meat sample is raw or cooked because they react with proteins that remain stable regardless of the temperature. Hsieh began working on a test that used the monoclonal antibodies after arriving at Auburn in 1993. She says her work is important to protect several groups of people. This is done for several reasons.