Quantitative comparison of aflatoxin B1 serum albumin adducts in humans by isotope dilution mass spectrometry and ELISA.

Metabolic activation of the hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) results in the covalent attachment of AFB(1) to serum albumin. Digestion of adducted albumin releases AFB(1)-lysine, a biomarker of exposure status. AF-albumin adducts have been most frequently measured in precipitated serum albumin using an immunoassay (ELISA); however, a sensitive and specific isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) assay for measurement of AFB(1)-lysine in serum has recently been developed.