Fast and sensitive screening method for detection of trichothecenes in maize by using protein synthesis inhibition in cultured fibroblasts.
A fast and sensitive bioassay with hamster (BHK-21 C13) fibroblasts for the detection of toxic trichothecenes in maize is described. Cells are exposed to pure toxins or crude maize extracts for 30 min. The mixture is then incubated with [1-14C]-leucine for an additional 60 min and the radioactivity incorporated into the protein of the washed cells is determined. The sensitivity of the assay was in the range 1-10 ng/mL (or 50 ppb in maize) for T-2, HT-2, and diacetoxyscirpenol. At least 1000-fold higher concentrations of non-trichothecene mycotoxins and plant toxins were necessary to cause an inhibition of protein synthesis in the cells. Of 24 maize samples tested, 14 gave a positive response in this assay and the presence of trichothecenes could be confirmed chemically in 11 samples. Therefore, the described bioassay is proposed as a useful screening method for cytotoxic trichothecenes in maize.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D005516:Food Microbiology; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014255:Trichothecenes / Q000032:analysis*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000032:analysis*
D009183:Mycotoxins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D014255:Trichothecenes