An imaging surface plasmon resonance biosensor assay for the detection of T-2 toxin and masked T-2 toxin-3-glucoside in wheat

Authors: HOSSAIN, MD ZAKIR - Orise Fellow; Maragos, Chris; McCormick, Susan

Submitted to: Toxins
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/7/2018
Publication Date: 3/10/2018
Citation: Hossain, M.Z, McCormick, S.P., Maragos, C.M., 2018. An imaging surface plasmon resonance biosensor assay for the detection of T-2 toxin and masked T-2 toxin-3-glucoside in wheat. Toxins. 10(3)119.

Interpretive Summary: T-2 toxin is produced by certain fungi that infest agricultural commodities and foods, particularly grains such as wheat, barley, rye, maize, and rice. Poultry in particular are sensitive to this toxin, which causes a variety of symptoms ranging from simple weight loss to death. To keep T-2 toxin out of the human food and animal feed supplies, commodities are often tested. A new technology, imaging surface plasmon resonance (iSPR) was used to develop a novel method for detecting T-2 toxin in wheat. The method was able to detect as little as 4 parts per billion (ppb) of the toxin. To ensure the method could meet the criteria of grain for export, the method was validated against the target level of 100 ppb established by the European Commission. This research completes the first step in the development of a method capable of screening for multiple toxins simultaneously, which is needed to reduce the costs associated with monitoring for such toxins in grains.

Technical Abstract: A sensitive, rapid, and reproducible imaging surface plasmon resonance (iSPR) biosensor assay was developed to detect T-2 toxin and T-2 toxin-3-glucoside (T2-G) in wheat. In this competitive assay, an amplification strategy was used after conjugating a secondary antibody (Ab2) with gold nanoparticles. Wheat samples were extracted with a methanol/water mixture (80:20 v/v), then diluted with an equal volume of primary antibody (Ab1) for analysis. Matrix-matched calibration curves were prepared to determine T-2 toxin and T2-G. Recovery studies were conducted at three spiking levels in blank wheat. Mean recoveries ranged from 86 to 90%, with relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) of less than 6%. Limits of detection were 1.2 ng/mL of T-2 toxin and 0.9 ng/mL of T2-G, equivalent to their levels in wheat, of 48 and 36 _g/kg, respectively. The developed iSPR assay was rapid and provided enough sensitivity for the monitoring of T-2 toxin/T2-G in wheat. This is the first iSPR assay useful for detecting the “masked” T2-G in wheat.