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Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of moulds,
contaminating a wide range of crop plants and fruits before or after harvest,
the most important mycotoxins being: Aflatoxins, Deoxynivalenol, Ochratoxin A, Fumonisins, Zearalenone,
Patulin and T-2 Toxin.
The acute and chronic impact of mycotoxins on human and animal health is proven
scientifically.
Mycotoxin contamination is recognized as an unavoidable risk because the formation of fungal toxins is
weather dependant and effective prevention is impossible.
According to the FAO more than 25 % of the
world's agricultural production is contaminated with mycotoxins. This equates to economic losses estimated at $923 million annually in the US grain industry alone. Most countries have adopted regulations to limit
exposure to mycotoxins, having strong impact on food and animal crop trade.
The presence of mycotoxins is
unavoidable and therefore testing of raw materials and products is required to keep our food and feed safe.
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Aflatoxins
Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by some Aspergillus species like A. flavus or A. parasiticus. Primarily aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 and the hydroxylated metabolite M1 are of interest, with aflatoxin B1 as the most frequently occurring.
Aflatoxins can be found on a wide range of commodities including cereals, nuts, spices, figs and dried fruit. Aflatoxin M1, the metabolite of Aflatoxin B1, is found in milk and dairy products. Aflatoxins are of major interest because of their impact on both human and animal health. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the most potent hepato-carcinogens known and hence levels of aflatoxins in the diet are an important consideration for human health.
Most countries established regulatory limits for either aflatoxin B1 or for total aflatoxins, which includes the sum of
aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2, as well as regulatory limits for Aflatoxin M1. Very often regulations also include detailed
sampling procedures, as this is one of the most crucial steps on the way to a reliable result. Romer® mills are especially
designed for grinding large quantities of various commodities and to subsample the lot within the same step. A variety of methods
and technologies are available for the analysis of grains, cereals, nuts and other possibly infected commodities:
Qualitative Yes/No test
For testing raw commodities for presence of aflatoxins with a certain “cut off level” (e.g. 10µg/kg, 20µg/kg or
higher) we recommend using the AflaCup™. This test can be performed within 2-3 minutes and needs no additional laboratory equipment.
Low cost screening of cereals – sequential analysis of samples
If subsequent samples have to be tested and a quantitative result
is required as soon as possible, we recommend using Fluoroquant® Afla. This test gives quantitative results within 5 minutes, needs
very few equipment, and can be easily processed.
Low cost screening – testing many samples at once
Another possibility to get quantitative results within a short time period and with low investment costs is ELISA technology.
We recommend using Agraquant® Afla and AgraQuant® Afla M1 if many samples need to be analyzed at once, as this is the most efficient way to use
this technology.
Cost efficient way to semiquantitative results
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a cost efficient way to establish methods for the detection of mycotoxins, especially if laboratory facilities and trained personnel are available. We offer a variety of clean up columns for the use prior to TLC. Highly reproducible and reliable results can be achieved, if an Autospotter is used to apply samples.
Reference method
A widely used reference method in case of regulatory issues is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). We offer a variety of clean up columns for the use prior to HPLC analysis.
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Links
Clean Up:
MycoSep®/MultiSep®
AflaStar™ IAC
AflaStar™ M1 IAC
Chemical Test Kits:
FluoroQuant® Afla
ELISA Test Kits:
AgraQuant® Afla
AgraQuant® Afla M1
AflaCup™
Lateral Flow Test Kits:
AgraStrip® Aflatoxin
Reference Materials:
Aflatoxin Standards
Downloads:
Aflatoxin MycoBrief |
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Trichothecenes (T-2, DON and others)
Trichothecenes are a group of sesquiterpenes produced by various Fusarium species like F. graminearum, F. sporotrichioides, F. poae or F. equiseti. The most important structural features causing the biological activities of trichothecenes are: the 12,13-epoxy ring, the presence of hydroxyl or acetyl groups at appropriate positions on the trichothecene nucleus and the structure and position of the side-chain. They are produced on many different grains like wheat, oats or maize.
This group of structurally related mycotoxins has a strong impact on the health of animals and humans due to their immunosuppressive effects. Type A trichothecenes (e.g. T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, Diacetoxyscirpenol) are of special interest because they are even more toxic than the related type B trichothecenes (e.g. Deoxynivalenol, Nivalenol, 3- and 15-Acetyldeoxynivalenol). Their major effects – related to their concentration in the commodity – are reduced feed uptake, vomiting and immuno-suppression.
Only few countries have recommended levels for these mycotoxins in food and animal feed but it is often tested for to prevent them from entering the food chain and to prevent losses in animal production. Like with all mycotoxin tests, sampling is the most crucial step on the way to a reliable result. Our Romer® mills are especially designed for grinding large quantities of various commodities and to subsample the lot in one step. For the testing of cereals and other relevant commodities, many methods and technologies are available:
Low cost screening – testing many samples at once
A possibility to get quantitative results in a short time with low investment costs is ELISA technology. We recommend using Agraquant® DON or Agraquant® T-2 Toxin if many samples need to be analyzed at once as this is the most efficient way to use this technology.
Cost efficient way to semiquantitative results
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a cost efficient way to test trichothecenes. We offer a variety of clean up columns for sample preparation prior to TLC. Especially if an Autospotter is used to apply the samples, highly reproducible and reliable result can be achieved. This technology can be recommended if a laboratory and trained personnel is available.
Reference method
The reference method is either Gas Chromatography (GC) combined with Electron capture detection (ECD) or with Mass spectrometry (MS) or High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Variable Wavelength detection (VWD) or lately also in combination with Mass spectrometry. We offer a variety of clean up columns for the sample preparation prior to the injection of a sample into the GC or HPLC system. |
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Links
Clean Up:
MycoSep®/MultiSep®
ELISA Test Kits:
AgraQuant® DON
AgraQuant® T-2
AccuTox® DON
Reference Materials:
Standards
Internal Standards
Downloads:
Deoxynivalenol MycoBrief
T-2 Toxin MycoBrief |
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Fumonisins
Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species like F. moniliforme and F. proliferatum. Corn is the mainly affected commodity. Conditions favoring Fumonisins formation are drought stress followed by warm, wet weather. Fumonisins have various effects on humans and animals, causing pulmonary edema in swine, and they are suspected to influence the formation of esophageal cancer in humans.
Our Romer® mills are especially designed for the grinding of large quantities of various commodities and to subsample the lot in one step. For the testing of corn, cereals and other commodities many methods and technologies are available:
Low cost screening – testing many samples at once
A possibility to get quantitative results in a short time with low investment costs is ELISA technology. We recommend using Agraquant® Total Fumonisin if many samples need to be analyzed at once, as this is the most efficient way to use this technology.
Cost efficient way to semiquantitative results
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a cost efficient way to detect Fumonisins. We offer a clean up column for the sample preparation prior to TLC. Especially if an Autospotter is used to apply the samples, highly reproducible and reliable result can be achieved. This technology can be recommended if a laboratory and trained personnel is available.
Reference method
The reference method is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD) after a derivatization step or the use of an LC-MS system (Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry). We offer clean up columns for the sample preparation prior to the injection of a sample into the HPLC system.
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Links
Clean Up:
MultiSep®
ELISA Test Kits:
AgraQuant® Fum
Reference Materials:
Fumonisin Standards
Downloads:
Fumonisin MycoBrief |
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Ochratoxins
Ochratoxin A, B, and C are mycotoxins produced by some Aspergillus species and Penicilium species, like A. ochraceus or P. viridicatum, with ochratoxin A as the most prevalent and relevant fungal toxin of this group.
Ochratoxin A is known to occur in commodities like cereals, coffee, dried fruit and red wine. It is considered as a human carcinogen and is of special interest as it can be accumulated in the meat of animals. Thus meat and meat products can be contaminated with this toxin.
Regulatory limits have been established in many countries worldwide, also in the European Union. Very often regulations include detailed sampling procedures, as this is one of the most crucial steps on the way to a reliable result. Romer® mills are especially designed for grinding large quantities of various commodities and to subsample the sample batch within one step.
For testing of cereals, wine, dried fruit and of other possibly infected commodities a variety of methods and technologies are available:
Low cost screening – testing many samples at once
A fast and cost effective possibility to receive quantitative results within a short time with low investment is ELISA technology. We recommend using Agraquant® Ochra if a number of sample has to be analyzed at one shot.
Cost efficient way to semiquantitative results
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a cost efficient way to establish methods for the detection of mycotoxins, especially if laboratory facilities and trained personnel are available. We offer a variety of clean up columns for clean up of Ochratoxin A and B prior to TLC. Highly reproducible and reliable results can be achieved, if an Autospotter is used to apply samples.
Reference method
A widely used and accepted reference method is high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). We offer a variety of clean up columns for clean up of Ochratoxin A and B prior to HPLC analysis. |
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Links
Clean Up:
MycoSep®/MultiSep®
OchraStar™ IAC
ELISA Test Kits:
AgraQuant® Ochra
Reference Materials:
Ochratoxin Standards
Downloads:
Ochratoxins MycoBrief |
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Zearalenone
Zearalenone is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species like F. graminearum. It mainly occurs in grains and cereal products. Zearalenone is not acutely toxic but is a problem because of its estrogenic effects on mammals. The negative effects on the reproductive systems makes it a concern in animal husbandry.
Only few countries have imposed recommended levels for this mycotoxin in animal feed but it is often tested for to prevent losses in animal husbandry. As with all mycotoxin tests, sampling is the most crucial step on the way to a reliable result. Our Romer® mills are especially designed for grinding large quantities of various commodities and to subsample the lot in one step. For the testing of cereals and of other possibly infected commodities, many methods and technologies are available:
Low cost screening – testing many samples at once
A possibility to get quantitative results in a short time with low investment costs is ELISA technology. We recommend using Agraquant® Zearalenone if a number of samples need to be analyzed at once. This is the most cost efficient way to use this technology.
Cost efficient way to semiquantitative results
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a cost efficient way to detect mycotoxins. We offer a variety of clean up columns for the sample preparation necessary prior to TLC. Especially if an Autospotter is used to apply the samples, highly reproducible and reliable result can be achieved with TLC. This technology can be recommended if a small laboratory and trained personnel is available.
Reference method
The reference method is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). We offer a variety of clean up columns for the sample preparation prior to the injection of a sample into the HPLC system. |
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Links
Clean Up:
MycoSep®/MultiSep®
ZearaStar™ IAC
ELISA Test Kits:
AgraQuant® ZON
Reference Materials:
Zearalenone Standards
Internal Standard
Downloads:
Zearalenone MycoBrief |
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Patulin
Patulin is produced by Penicillium species and Aspergillus species The contamination with this mycotoxin mainly occurs on damaged or rotting fruits like apples, pears, peaches and grapes. Patulin is suspected to be carcinogen.
As Patulin occurs mainly in fruits and fruit juices which are often used as baby or infant food, some countries have established regulatory limits.
For testing possibly affected commodities like fruits and fruit juices we recommend using HPLC-UV. We offer clean up columns for simple and rapid clean up of various commodities prior to the injection into HPLC. Our clean up columns shorten the sample preparation time significantly compared to the usually used liquid liquid partition. Also the reduction in working steps and the easier handling helps to reduce errors. |
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Links
Clean Up:
MycoSep®/MultiSep®
AflaStar™ IAC
Reference Materials:
Patulin Standards
Downloads:
Patulin MycoBrief |
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Other Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi and occur on a wide range of commodities. There are more than 200 currently known mycotoxins belonging to different groups of chemical structures. As manifold as their chemical structures are their effects on human and animals. Most countries worldwide have regulatory limits for some mycotoxins, the most often regulated one is aflatoxin B1. Usually the regulation also includes a detailed sampling procedure as this is the most crucial step on the way to a reliable result. Our Romer® mills are especially designed for grinding large quantities of various commodities and to subsample the lot in one step as well.
Citrinin
Citrinin can be detected using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) or High Performance Liquid Chromatography. In both cases good clean up of the raw extract is extremely important to obtain reliable results.
Moniliformin
Moniliformin is a very polar molecule that can be detected by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) or High Performance Liquid Chromatography. For the clean up of the raw extract we offer a specialized one-step clean up column.
Sterigmatocystin
A mycotoxin structurally related to the family of the aflatoxins. It can be determined by the use of Thin Layer Chromatography after the use of a simple one-step clean up column.
Cyclopiazonic acid
This mycotoxin is often co occurring with aflatoxins. A method for the detection of this toxin is Thin Layer Chromatography. The clean up can be done using a Romer® clean up column. |
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Links
Clean Up:
MycoSep®/MultiSep®
MycoSep® 240 Mon
Reference Materials:
Standards
Downloads:
Moniliformin MycoBrief |
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