Monoclonal antibody based electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of ochratoxin A in wheat.

Competitive electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays based on disposable screen-printed electrodes have been developed for quantitative determination of ochratoxin A (OTA). The assays were carried out using monoclonal antibodies in the direct and indirect format. OTA working range, I(50) and detection limits were 0.

Application and validation of a clean-up tandem assay column for screening ochratoxin A in cocoa powder.

A rapid antibody-based assay for the detection of ochratoxin A in cocoa powder is described, involving sequential clean-up and visual detection of the toxin ("clean-up tandem assay column"). The screening test was developed to have a cut-off level of 2 microg kg(-1) and was shown to have false positive and false negative rates of 10 and 2%, respectively. Analysis of six samples can be carried out in the field in approximately 30 min by untrained workers.

Simultaneous non-instrumental detection of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A using a clean-up tandem immunoassay column.

A set-up and simple method based on the clean-up tandem immunoassay approach was developed for the visual detection of two analytes. The method was based on a 1 mL column with one clean-up layer and two detection immunolayers. As detection immunolayers CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B with coupled secondary rabbit anti-mouse antibodies was used.

Evaluation of fumonisin contamination in cornflakes on the Belgian market by "flow-through" assay screening and LC-MS/MS analyses.

A total of 205 cornflake samples collected in Belgian retail stores during 2003-2004 were surveyed for the natural occurrence of fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), and B3 (FB3). These cornflake samples, originating from conventional as well as from organic production, were analyzed using an intralaboratory-validated LC-MS/MS method. Additionally, 90 cornflake samples were subjected to rapid screening using a flow-through enzyme immunoassay method to demonstrate the practicability of a screening test coupled to a validated confirmatory LC-MS/MS method for the management of food safety risks.

Development of an immunoassay-based lateral flow dipstick for the rapid detection of aflatoxin B1 in pig feed.

The aim of this work was to develop an immunoassay-based lateral flow dipstick for the rapid detection of aflatoxin B(1) in pig feed. The test consisted of three main components: conjugate pad, membrane, and absorbent pad. The membrane was coated with two capture reagents, that is, aflatoxin B(1)-bovine serum albumin conjugate and rabbit anti-mouse antibodies.

Evaluation of spermatological parameters in ochratoxin A--challenged boars.

Exposure to certain mycotoxins has been proved to contribute to fertility problems in pigs. Although ochratoxin A (OA) is one of the most common naturally occurring mycotoxins, there is little data concerning the possible effects of this toxin on sperm quality of boars. After a 4-week control period, animals were given 20 microg OA per os daily for 6 weeks, followed by a 9-week withdrawal period.

Development of a solid-phase cleanup and portable rapid flow-through enzyme immunoassay for the detection of ochratoxin a in roasted coffee.

A membrane-based flow-through enzyme immunoassay (patent application pending) for the detection of ochratoxin A (OA) in roasted coffee was developed. First, an extraction and solid-phase cleanup method was developed. A high partition coefficient for OA in the mobile phase was achieved by using methanol/5% aqueous NaHCO(3) as the sample extraction and cleanup solvent.

Tissue distribution of ochratoxin A as determined by HPLC and ELISA and histopathological effects in chickens.

Ochratoxin A is a common feed contaminant, which may impair animal health and may lead to residues in edible tissues of slaughter animals. To simulate field conditions, broiler chicks were exposed to a total of 0.5 mg ochratoxin A per week for each of 4 weeks.