Enzyme immunoassay for tenuazonic acid in apple and tomato products

The Alternaria mycotoxin tenuazonic acid was derivatized with succinic anhydride and conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and to horseradish peroxidase (HRP), respectively. The KLH conjugate was used to produce polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. A competitive direct enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for tenuazonic acid was established, which was moderately sensitive for tenuazonic acid [50% inhibition concentration (IC(50)): 320 ± 130 ng/mL] but strongly reacted with tenuazonic acid acetate (IC(50): 23.3 ± 7.5 ng/mL). Therefore, an optimized EIA protocol was established, which employed acetylation of standard and sample extract solutions. The mean standard curve detection limit (IC(30)) for tenuazonic acid acetate was 5.4 ± 2.0 ng/mL, enabling detection limits for tenuazonic acid in apple and tomato products of 25-50 ng/g (150 ng/g in tomato paste). Recoveries in a concentration range of 50-2000 ng/g were 60-130% in apple juice and tomato juice and 40-150% in other tomato products. Tenuazonic acid was detected in apple juice and tomato products from German retail shops at levels of 50-200 ng/g. In conclusion, this novel EIA for tenuazonic acid could be useful within a screening program for Alternaria mycotoxins in food.