Rapid detection of aged collagen in archaeological residues using immunosorbent assay

Collagen is a common component found in the degradation residues of gelatine, leather, and food. The rapid detection of collagen at archaeological sites and in residues is of significant importance to scientific archaeology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a crucial method for detecting proteins in archaeological materials. In this study, three types of polyclonal antibodies were prepared. They are cost-effective, easy to use, and applicable to a wide range of purposes. These antibodies specifically target common mammalian type I collagen and are designed to recognize different immune epitopes, including the N-terminal sequence and the triple-helix region. The use of ELISA enables the detection of specific sequence fragments in aged collagen. Based on the immunological experiments, immunochromatographic strips were developed to allow rapid on-site detection of aged collagen. The practical utility of these antibodies in detecting degraded collagen was demonstrated through experiments on ancient leather and mortar samples.