Immunochemical detection of molds: a review
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Updated: Oct 17, 2026
ELIME (Enzyme Linked Immuno Magnetic Electrochemical) Method for Mycotoxin Detection
Published on: October 23, 2009
S Li1, R R Marquardt, D Abramson
1Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Abstract:
Molds are widely distributed in nature and cause deterioration of foods and feeds. Their mycotoxins can adversely affect human and animal health. Suitable assays for molds, therefore, are required to implement control and regulatory strategies and to develop appropriate feeding regimens for mold-infested feeds. Many different types of mold assays have been used, most of which are not reproducible or accurate. However, the immunoassays, particularly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), can be especially useful. Among these, assays that detect the water-soluble extracellular secretions of fungi, the exoantigens, are generally able to detect fungi at the genus or species level, whereas the heat-stable polysaccharides tend to be specific for one or more genus of fungi. Several species and genus (genera)-specific ELISAs have been developed using monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against exoantigens and heat-stable polysaccharides from a wide range of fungi, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species. Other assays have been developed that nonspecifically detect mold in food or feed, some using antibodies against a mixture of antigens from different fungi. These assays are highly sensitive, are easy to perform, and provide an index of the amount of mold present in the sample. Further refinement of these assays should facilitate their widespread use by food and feed processors, regulatory agencies, taxonomists, and research scientists.
Insights
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) offer accurate detection of mold contamination in food and feed. These sensitive immunoassays identify specific fungal species or genera, aiding in safety and regulatory control.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Food Science
- Animal Science
Background:
- Molds contaminate food and feed, producing health-affecting mycotoxins.
- Accurate mold detection is crucial for control, regulation, and safe feed management.
- Existing mold assays often lack reproducibility and accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of various mold detection assays.
- To highlight the advantages of immunoassays, particularly ELISAs, for mold identification.
- To discuss the application of exoantigen and polysaccharide-based ELISAs for fungal detection.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing mold detection methodologies.
- Focus on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) utilizing antibodies against fungal exoantigens and polysaccharides.
- Development of genus- and species-specific ELISAs for fungi like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium.
- Description of non-specific mold detection assays using mixed fungal antigens.
Main Results:
- Immunoassays, especially ELISAs, demonstrate high accuracy and reproducibility for mold detection.
- Exoantigen-based ELISAs can identify fungi at the genus or species level.
- Heat-stable polysaccharide assays offer genus-specific detection.
- Non-specific ELISAs provide sensitive, easy-to-perform mold quantification.
Conclusions:
- ELISAs are valuable tools for accurate mold detection in food and feed.
- Species- and genus-specific ELISAs improve identification accuracy.
- Non-specific ELISAs offer a sensitive index of mold presence.
- Further assay refinement will enhance their adoption by industry and regulatory bodies.
