Fluorescence immunochromatographic assay for deoxynivalenol using immunomagnetic bead purification

Area of Science:

• Food Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Mycotoxicology

Background:

• Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prevalent mycotoxin contaminating food and feed commodities.
• Effective methods for DON detection in complex matrices are crucial for food safety.
• Current detection methods can be time-consuming and require specialized equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a straightforward, accurate method for quantitative DON detection.
• To enable rapid, on-site analysis of DON in corn and its by-products.
• To utilize immunomagnetic beads for efficient sample cleanup.

Main Methods:

• Sample purification using immunomagnetic beads.
• Quantitative detection via competitive time-resolved fluoro-immuno-chromatographic assay.
• Validation using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Main Results:

• Achieved limits of detection (LOD) of 104 μg/kg and quantification (LOQ) of 243 μg/kg.
• Demonstrated high recovery rates (86%–117%) and low coefficients of variation (6.9%–9.5%).
• Exhibited strong correlation with HPLC (R=0.977) and minimal cross-reactivity with other toxins.

Conclusions:

• The developed method is rapid, accurate, and sensitive for DON detection.
• Immunomagnetic bead-based fluoro-immunoassay facilitates on-site analysis without large equipment.
• This approach provides a practical solution for monitoring DON contamination in agricultural products.