MODERN METHODS FOR AFLATOXIN DETERMINATION

IN FOOD AND FEED

The aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by certain molds such as particular species of Aspergillus. These mold species are ubiquitous in nature and grow on corn, peanuts and other crops that may be used both as human food and agricultural animal feed. As a result of Aspergillus contamination the foodstuff (crops and milk) may contain the aflatoxins levels dangerous for either the animals’ and humans health: aflatoxins are known to have a strong mutagenic, carcinogenic and hepatotoxic activity.

Fig.1. The structural formula of aflatoxin B1.

Many countries routinely screen agricultural commodities for the presence of the aflatoxin B1 using common tools of analytical chemistry, including TLC, HPLC, GC, GCMS, immunoassays, biosensors and capillary electrophoresis. However, very low concentrations of aflatoxins to be determined in food and feed, are the analytical challenge for the fast and robust determination of these mycotoxins. For example, in the USA, a guideline level of 20 ng/g (ppb) of total aflatoxins in food destined for human consumption and 100 ppb for breeding cattle and poultry [1].

Here we shall discuss the methods of the determination for aflatoxins developed in Bioo Scientific Corporation, including ELISA, strip-tests, and immunomagnetic nanobeads extraction.

[1] C. Maragos “Measurement of Aflatoxins Using Capillary Electrophoresis ” in Mycotoxin Protocols ed. by M.W. Trucksess and A.E. Pohland, Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, 2001. 244 p.