Current trends in rapid tests for mycotoxins

ABSTRACT

There are an ample number of commercial testing kits available for mycotoxin analysis on the market today, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, membrane-based immunoassays, fluorescence polarisation immunoassays and fluorometric assays. It can be observed from the literature that not only are developments and improvements ongoing for these assays but there are also novel assays being developed using biosensor technology. This review focuses on both the currently available methods and recent innovative methods for mycotoxin testing. Furthermore, it highlights trends that are influencing assay developments such as multiplexing capabilities and rapid on-site analysis, indicating the possible detection methods that will shape the future market.

KEYWORDS:

• Mycotoxin
• immunoassay
• biosensor
• on-site detection
• rapid detection method
• multiplex detection

Notes

1. A provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) or a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) has been established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) for each mycotoxin. For all AF’s Intake should be reduced to levels as low as reasonably possible as it is a genotoxic carcinogen. DON PMTDI is 1 μg/kg BW/day. FUM PMTDI is 2 μg/kg BW/day for FB1, FB2, and FB3 alone or in combination. OTA PMTDI is 0.112μg/kg BW/week. T2 and HT2 Toxins PMTDI is 0.06 μg /kg BW/day. ZEA PMTDI is 0.5 µg/kg BW/day. PATULIN PMTDI 0.4 µg/kg BW/day. Ergot alkaloids TDI 0.06 μg /kg BW (JECFA 2017).

2. Neogen offer a fluorometric assay for AF’s.

3. Randox offer an ELISA for testing Ergot Alkaloids.

4. Romer Labs offer a fluorometric assay for AF’s.

5. Vicam offer fluorometric assay’s for AF’s, ZEN, OTA and FUM.

6. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by BioMensio Limited through the sponsorship of an MPhil for Philana Nolan.