Mycotoxin methodology

Sensitive, specific, accurate and precise methods of analysis are needed for enforcement of mycotoxin regulations, other monitoring programmes, and research studies. Rapid screening tests are useful for control at all stages of food and feed production. There is a wide choice of both quantitative and qualitative methods for the more well known mycotoxins. Those at present covered by method standardization organizations such as AOAC International are aflatoxins (including M1), Alternaria toxins, citrinin, cyclopiazonic acid, ergot alkaloids, fumonisins, ochratoxins, patulin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone. Methodology for mycotoxins is selectively reviewed in this paper with emphasis on the procedures comprising the analytical method--sampling, extraction of naturally contaminated samples, clean-up, detection and determination, and confirmation. Also covered are automation, method comparison, and method assessment.