Performance of rapid screening methods (ELISA and lateral flow assays) versus LC-MS/MS for decision-making in...

Maize (Zea mays) is a major agricultural commodity in Brazil and is highly susceptible to fungal contamination, leading to the occurrence of fumonisins that may pose risks to human and animal health. Reliable analytical methods are therefore essential for monitoring and regulatory compliance. This study compared the performance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), lateral flow assay (LFA), and LC-MS/MS for total fumonisin (FB1 + FB2) determination in naturally contaminated maize. A total of 101 maize samples collected in Minas Gerais and Goiás, Brazil, between December 2021 and March 2022 were analysed. ELISA showed greater result dispersion (CV = 209%) than LC-MS/MS (CV = 94%) and LFA (CV = 99%). No statistically significant differences were observed among the mean concentrations obtained by the three methods (p > 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed weak agreement between ELISA and the other methods, whereas LFA showed a moderate and significant correlation with LC-MS/MS. At the regulatory threshold of 4000 µg/kg, LFA demonstrated lower false-negative (7.9%) and false-positive (6.9%) rates than ELISA (10.9% and 16.8%, respectively), resulting in higher classification accuracy. Although LC-MS/MS remains the reference method, LFA provided reliable screening performance and operational advantages for rapid on-site decision-making.