Section for Chemistry
Norwegian Veterinary Institute
Ullevålsveien 68
0454 Oslo/Norway

Tel.: +47 915 21 825
Mob: +47 934 03 394
E-mail: kjersti.lovberg@vetinst.no

Research interests

Method development concerning immunossays for detection of cyanotoxins/microcystins. Special interest in development of antibodies to recognise the metabolites and using the antibodies to developing immunological methods for detecting metabolites in food such as shellfish for the marine algal metabolites and in water for the freshwater algal metabolites. Especially interested in cyanotoxins/microcystins, okadaic acid and azaspiracids.

Background

Master’s degree in inorganic chemistry at Norwegian Institute of technology (NTH) Trondheim, Norway,1989. Method development, validation, quality assurance and accreditation for methods such as different techniques of atomic absorption spectroscopy and immunological methods for detection of food allergens.

Ongoing projects

Rotenon

Alfakloralose

Measurement of Cs-137 in food and feed (directed by Norwegian Food Safety Authority and Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority)

Recent projects

MARBioFEED – Enhanced biorefining methods for the production of marine biotoxins and microalgae fish feed (ERA-NET Marine Biotech – 2016-2019)

Target – Targeted strategies for safeguarding the noble crayfish against alien and emerging threats (NFR/243907 – 2015-2019).

ECsafeSEAFOOD – Priority environmetal contaminants in seafood: safety assessment, impact and public perception (EU grant no: 311820) (2013-2017).

CyanoTOX – Development and validation of diagnostic tools for cyanotoxins in Southern Africa (NRC project nr. 196085) (2010-2014).

Anisakis simplex – Development of tools for product control and human risk evaluation in fishery value chains (Anisakis simplex).

Food Allergen Methods – Development of a coordinated research program for food allergens – identification, modification and in vivo responses

Articles

Miller, T.R., Xiong, A., Deeds, J.R., Stutts, W.L., Samdal, I.A., Løvberg, K.E., Miles, C.O. Microcystin toxins at potentially hazardous levels in algal dietary supplements revealed by a combination of bioassay, immunoassay, and mass spectrometric methods. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2020, 68, 8016–8025.
Samdal, I.A.; Strand, D.A.; Ballot, A.; Rusch, J.C.; Haande, S.; Løvberg, K.L.E.; Miles, C.O.; Vrålstad, T. Microcystins in European noble crayfish Astacus astacus in lake Steinsfjorden, a Planktothrix-dominated lake. Toxins 2020, 12, 298.
Foss A, Miles CO, Samdal IA, Løvberg KE, Wilkins AL, Rise F, Jaabæk JAH, McGowan PC, Aubel MT. Analysis of free and metabolized microcystins in samples following a bird mortality event. Harmful Algae 2018, 80, 117–129.
Miles CO, Kilcoyne J, McCarron P, Giddings SD, Waaler T, Rundberget T, Samdal IA, Løvberg KE. Selective extraction and purification of azaspiracids from blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) using boric acid gel. J Agric Food Chem 2018, 66, 2962–2969.
Samdal IA, Løvberg KE, Briggs LR, Kilcoyne J, Xu J, Forsyth CJ, Miles CO. Develoment of an ELISA for the detection of azaspiracids. J Agric Food Chem 2015, 63, 7855−7861.
Samdal IA, Ballot A, Løvberg KE, Miles CO. Multihapten approach leading to a sensitive ELISA with broad cross-reactivity to microcystins and nodularin. Environ Sci Technol 2014, 48, 8035–8043.
Fæste,C.K.; Plassen,C.; Løvberg,K.E.; Moen,A.; Egaas,E. Determination of the fish parasite Anisakis simplex in Norwegian farmed salmon and processed fish products. Food Analyt Meth 2014, DOI 10.1007/s12161-014-0003-8.
Sivertsen, T.; Løvberg K.E; Seasonal and individual variation in hepatic copper concentrations in a flock of Norwegian Dala sheep. Small Rumin Res, 2014, 116, 57–65.
Fæste et al. Differentiating Cross-Reacting Allergens in the Immunological Analysis of Celery (Apium graveolens) by Mass Spectrometry. J AOAC Int 2010, Vol. 93 No. 2.
Fæste, Christiane K.; Løvberg, Kjersti E.; Lindvik, Helene; Egaas, Eliann J. Extractability, stability and allergenicity of egg-with proteins in differently heat-processed foods. AOAC Int. 2007, 90, 427–436.
Sletten GB, Løvberg KE, Moen LH, Skarpeid HJ, Egaas E. 2A comparison of time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay and ELISA in the detection of casein in foodstuffs. Food Agric Immunol, 2005, 16, 235–234.