ARS | Publication request: Developments in mycotoxin analysis: an update for 2008-2009

Submitted to: World Mycotoxin Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 8, 2009
Publication Date: February 9, 2010
Citation: Sheppard, G.S., Berthiller, F., Dorner, J.W., Lombaert, G.A., Malone, B., Maragos, C.M., Sabino, M., Solfrizzo, M., Trucksess, M.W., Van Egmond10, H.P., Whitaker, T.B. 2010. Developments in mycotoxin analysis: an update for 2008-2009. World Mycotoxin Journal. 3(1):3-23.

Interpretive Summary: Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by a variety of molds. When molds are able to infect and colonize crops, those crops can become contaminated with mycotoxins, which poses a food and feed safety hazard. This requires the monitoring of a host of commodities for the presence of mycotoxins so that they can be excluded from food and feed supplies. This paper reports developments in sampling and analysis for mycotoxins that have taken place in the past year and includes work with aflatoxins, alternaria toxins, cyclopiazonic acid, fumonisins, ochratoxin, patulin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone. There has been particular emphasis on new immunological methods as well as methods based on liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection.

Technical Abstract: This review highlights developments in mycotoxin analysis and sampling over a period between mid-2008 and mid-2009. It covers the major mycotoxins aflatoxins, alternaria toxins, cyclopiazonic acid, fumonisins, ochratoxin, patulin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone. Developments in mycotoxin analysis continue, with emphasis on novel immunological methods and further description of LC-MS and LC-MS/MS, particularly as multimycotoxin applications for different ranges of mycotoxins. Although falling outside the main emphasis of the review, some aspects of natural occurrence have been mentioned, especially if linked to novel method developments.