Analytical Methods for Determination of Aflatoxin B1 in Animal Feeds and Feedstuffs

Abstract

Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is an Aspergillus spp. produced mycotoxins which is identified as one of the key contaminant of feeds and toxic to some degree to all species tested to date. Because of its hepatocarcinogenic nature, AFB 1 has obtained significant attention in past few years. A number of analytical, diagnostic and immunological procedures are available for assessment and estimation of AFB 1 in different feeds such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and electrochemical immunosensors (ECI). All available analytical methods for determination of AFB 1 principally included the same steps like, sampling, sample preparation, detection, confirmation, and finally risk assessment. HPLC approaches are most commonly used nowadays because of their high accuracy, precision and sensitivity. Since late 20 th century, many countries including Turkey has imposed strict rules and regulations regarding AFB 1 in food and animal feed related industry to protect the consumer from the detrimental effects of the toxin. In this article, a number of analytical techniques for determination of AFB 1 in feeds and feedstuffs starting from sampling to risk assessment and international regulations are reviewed.

Identification of Fungi Associated with Hazelnuts and Determination of Their Mycotoxin

“…Molecular techniques such as PCR-based assays are most specific, rapid and sensitive techniques, able to overcome misidentification of fungi species by culturing method [8,9]. The assays developed recently to quantitative real time (q PCR) which used for identification of Aspergillus genus, section Flavi spp [10]. It is increasingly useful to develop and test reliable mycotoxin measurement techniques.…”