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Detection of Mold in Food by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

S Notermans1, C J Heuvelman1, H P VAN Egmond1

  • 1National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Hygiene, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands and Food Inspection Service, Baan 7, 3011 CD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Food Protection
|April 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can detect mold contamination in food. This method correlates mold antigen levels with aflatoxin B1 content, enabling early detection of mycotoxin-producing molds.

Area of Science:

  • Food safety
  • Mycology
  • Analytical chemistry

Background:

  • Mold contamination in food poses health risks due to mycotoxin production.
  • Current detection methods may not be sensitive enough for early-stage contamination.
  • Aflatoxin B1 is a common mycotoxin produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting mold-specific antigens in food.
  • To determine the correlation between mold antigen levels and aflatoxin B1 content.
  • To assess the sensitivity of ELISA for early detection of mold contamination.

Main Methods:

  • Development and application of an ELISA for a heat-stable, water-soluble mold antigen.
  • Analysis of food samples for the presence of mold antigen and aflatoxin B1.
  • Artificial inoculation of food samples with mycotoxin-producing molds for sensitivity testing.

Main Results:

  • ELISA successfully detected a mold-specific antigen in food samples containing aflatoxin B1.
  • A positive correlation was observed between the amount of mold antigen and aflatoxin B1 content.
  • Early-stage mold contamination was detectable by ELISA, with a minimum detection limit of 38 ng/g for Penicillium species.

Conclusions:

  • ELISA is a promising method for detecting mold contamination in food products.
  • The assay can serve as an indicator for the presence of mycotoxins like aflatoxin B1.
  • This method allows for early identification of mold contamination, enhancing food safety.

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