title: Performance of three pneumatic probe samplers and four analytical methods used to estimate aflatoxins in bulk cottonseed.
abstract: The requirement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that agricultural products susceptible to aflatoxin contamination contain aflatoxin at levels < or =20 parts per billion for consumer-ready products has led to the establishment of inspection programs by various industries. In Arizona, cottonseed samples from 100 ton piles are collected by an accumulation of 3 or more probings with a pneumatic probe. When sampling compacted cottonseed piles, the large official pneumatic probe (7.6 x 127 cm) decreases in efficiency. Two smaller probes (1.9 x 127 cm and 1.9 x 254 cm ) were therefore developed and tested for their suitability for sampling cottonseed piles. Three rapid analytical methods (one thin-layer chromatographic and 2 immunochemical) were tested for suitability as on-site assay systems. An analysis of variance of the analytical test results showed no differences between the various probes tested. Of the rapid methods, however, only the AflaTest-P immunoaffinity column gave results similar to those of the official AOAC thin-layer chromatography method. In terms of safety, however, all methods prevent material contaminated above regulatory limits from reaching the consumer.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, Department of Food Science, Tuscon 85721, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Giesbrecht
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Njapau
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D000465:Algorithms; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003369:Cottonseed Oil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D002273:Carcinogens; D003369:Cottonseed Oil