Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #149737

Title: RAPID DETECTION OF MYCOTOXINS USING FLUORESCENCE POLARIZATION

Author
item Maragos, Chris

Submitted to: Corn Dry Milling Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2003
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fluorescence polarization is a technique for indirectly measuring the size of fluorescent molecules by how rapidly they rotate in solution. Small molecules, such as fluorescently labeled mycotoxins, rotate rapidly in solution. When an antibody that binds the mycotoxin is present the rate of rotation slows and the fluorescence polarization increases. This property can be used to detect the presence of mycotoxins in commodities. Fluorescence polarization immunoassays have certain advantages relative to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Most notably the steps that are required in ELISAs to separate bound and unbound label (washing steps) are not required in FP. This makes the fluorescence polarization assays simpler to use, and quicker, than ELISAs. Recently, fluorescence polarization assays have been developed for many of the major mycotoxins and the commodities in which they are found. These include deoxynivalenol in wheat, and fumonisins, aflatoxins, and zearalenone in corn. The performance of such assays with samples will be discussed, and a field portable device that can rapidly detect mycotoxins in commodities will be demonstrated. The technique may be particularly advantageous in situations where samples are arriving one at a time in rapid succession, such as at grain elevators.