Application and validation of a clean-up tandem assay column for screening ochratoxin A in cocoa powder.
A rapid antibody-based assay for the detection of ochratoxin A in cocoa powder is described, involving sequential clean-up and visual detection of the toxin ("clean-up tandem assay column"). The screening test was developed to have a cut-off level of 2 microg kg(-1) and was shown to have false positive and false negative rates of 10 and 2%, respectively. Analysis of six samples can be carried out in the field in approximately 30 min by untrained workers. Using the proposed rapid screening test, 10 retail cocoa powders were found to contain no detectable levels of ochratoxin A (<2 microg kg(-1)). These samples were also found to be negative (<2 microg kg(-1)) when analysed using an LC-MS/MS method.
Lobeau
Marieke
M
Laboratory of Food Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium. marieke.lobeau@ugent.be
De Saeger
Sarah
S
Sibanda
Liberty
L
Barna-Vetró
Ildiko
I
Van Peteghem
Carlos
C
D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D002273:Carcinogens; D009183:Mycotoxins; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A