Qualitative and quantitative assay of trichothecin: a mycotoxin produced by Trichothecium roseum

A method for quantitative determination of trichothecin in crude culture filtrates was presented. The method utilized an agar diffusion bioassay against Candida albicans, a colorimetric test involving a halochromatic reaction with sulfuric acid, and subsequent formation of blue color with methanol, and thin-layer chromatography of trichothecin and its dinitrophenylhydrazine derivative. A positive result in all three systems confirmed the presence of trichothecin. Quantitative results were generally in close agreement.