Mycotoxin Detection-Introduction, Detection Methods, and Keynotes

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Introduction

Mycotoxin detection involves identifying and quantifying these toxic fungal metabolites in various materials, commonly using chromatographic techniques like HPLC and GC, as well as immunological methods like ELISA and biosensors. 

Various detection methods:

1. Chromatographic Techniques:

  • High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): This is a widely used method for separating and detecting mycotoxins, often coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) or other detectors for enhanced sensitivity and specificity. 
  • Gas Chromatography (GC): GC is suitable for mycotoxins that can be volatilized and is often combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for identification and quantification. 
  • Thin-layer chromatography (TLC): TLC is a simpler and faster method for screening large numbers of samples, but it has lower sensitivity and accuracy compared to HPLC and GC. 

2. Immunological Techniques:

  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): ELISA is a rapid and sensitive method for detecting mycotoxins, particularly useful for screening large numbers of samples. 
  • Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs): LFAs are another rapid and easy-to-use method for mycotoxin detection, often used for on-site testing. 
  • Biosensors: Biosensors, including electrochemical and piezoelectric biosensors, offer rapid and sensitive detection of mycotoxins. 

3. Other Methods:

  • Capillary Electrophoresis (CE): CE is a technique that separates compounds based on their charge and can be used for mycotoxin analysis. 
  • Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA): FPIA is a homogeneous immunoassay technique that is fast, reliable, and cost-effective. 
  • Mass spectrometry (MS): Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful technique for identifying and quantifying mycotoxins, often used in conjunction with chromatographic methods. 
  • Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS): MS/MS provides more detailed information about mycotoxins than single MS, allowing for more accurate identification and quantification. 
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI techniques are being explored for mycotoxin detection in food, offering high credibility and accuracy. 

Keynotes

  1. Mycotoxin detection uses chromatography and immunoassays.
  2. Furthermore, researchers apply HPLC with MS for high sensitivity.
  3. Meanwhile, GC separates volatile toxins efficiently.
  4. Additionally, TLC screens large sample volumes quickly.
  5. Moreover, ELISA detects toxins with a rapid turnaround.
  6. Similarly, LFAs provide easy on-site testing.
  7. Also, biosensors offer fast and sensitive toxin detection.
  8. In addition, CE separates mycotoxins by charge.
  9. Then, FPIA provides reliable immunoassay results.
  10. Finally, tandem MS yields precise toxin identification.
  11. Also, AI improves accuracy in mycotoxin detection.

Further Readings

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8271920/
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024043925
  3. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/20/3339
  4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7230321/
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11019184/
  6. https://vdl.uky.edu/mycotoxin-testing-guidelines
  7. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15569543.2021.1894175
  8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0039914015002659
  9. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/4443-current-trends-in-mycotoxin-analysis
  10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0026265X24018861

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