A rapid bioassay to detect mycotoxins using a melanin precursor overproducer mutant of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila.
Four different mycotoxins (patulin, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol and roquefortine) were used to study growth inhibitory effects on a melanin precursor overproducer mutant of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. This strain is especially sensitive to diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin. The secretion capacity of melanin precursors into the culture medium by this mutant and its biosensor capacity are very useful characteristics to elaborate a rapid bioassay to detect some specific mycotoxins.
Martín González
A
A
Departamento de Microbiologia-III, Facultad de Biologia, Universidad Complutense (UCM), Madrid, Spain.
Benítez
L
L
Soto
T
T
Rodriguez de Lecea
J
J
Gutiérrez
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D008543:Melanins; D009154:Mutation; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016808:Tetrahymena thermophila / Q000235:genetics
D008543:Melanins; D009183:Mycotoxins; C028063:melanin precursors