Methods for determining ochratoxin A and other nephrotoxic mycotoxins

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Toxicology

Background:

• Chemical assays are crucial for determining mycotoxins.
• Mycotoxin analysis involves extraction, clean-up, separation, detection, quantification, and confirmation.
• Nephrotoxic mycotoxins, especially ochratoxins, require precise analytical methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss various analytical approaches for determining nephrotoxic mycotoxins, focusing on ochratoxins.
• To highlight the impact of immunochemical methods on mycotoxin analysis.
• To inform about available and developing reference materials for mycotoxin research.

Main Methods:

• Conventional methods include liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and UV/fluorescence detection.
• Immunochemical methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoaffinity columns, are increasingly used.
• Immunoaffinity columns facilitate rapid clean-up prior to conventional instrumental analysis.

Main Results:

• Immunochemical methods have significantly impacted mycotoxin purification and determination.
• ELISA is effective for screening and semi-quantitative determination.
• Immunoaffinity columns provide rapid clean-up, and these techniques support automation.

Conclusions:

• Immunochemical techniques are rapidly advancing mycotoxin analysis, offering efficiency and automation possibilities.
• Reference materials are essential for improving data accuracy in mycotoxin research.
• Continued development of analytical methods and reference materials is vital for food safety and toxicology.