Detection of moulds producing aflatoxins in maize and peanuts by an immunoassay.
YOUNG, R.K. and COUSIN, M.A.
International Journal of Food Microbiology 65: 27 – 38.
2001
An ELISA was developed to detect moulds producing aflatoxins in maize and peanuts by an antibody produced to extracellular antigen from Aspergillus parasiticus. This antibody recognized species with phenotypid similarities to A.parasiticus, A.flavus and the domesticated species A.sojae and A.oryzae. Maize and peanuts inoculated with spores of A.parasiticus and incubated at 15oC for 18 days or 21oC for 7 days were analysed for mould antigens and aflatoxin levels. At 15oC, mould antigens were detected by day 4 in maize when 0.16g/kg of aflatoxin was detected by ELISA but not by TLC. Antigens were detected in peanuts by day 4 before aflatoxin was found. Likewise, at 21o+C, antigens were detected by day 4 in maize when less than 1g/kg of aflatoxin was detected by ELISA but not by TLC, but by day 2 in peanuts when no aflatoxin was detected. A. parasiticus could be detected before it could produce aflatoxins.