title: Widespread occurrence of low levels of alternariol in apple and tomato products, as determined by comparative immunochemical assessment using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.
abstract: This study investigated the production of polyclonal (pAB) antibodies and the first time production of monoclonal (mAB) antibodies against the mycotoxin alternariol, and their implementation in enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the rapid determination of alternariol in foods. Both EIAs were highly sensitive, with detection limits (IC₂₀) of 35 ± 6.9 pg/mL (mAb EIA) and 59 ± 16 pg/mL (pAb EIA). Food products (n = 109; apple and tomato products, white wine) from German retail shops were analyzed. At a detection limit of 1-2 μg/kg, alternariol at 1-13 μg/kg was found with high frequency in apple (67%) and tomato (93%) products. Tomatoes with visible signs of Alternaria infection, stored at room temperature for up to 4 weeks, contained alternariol at levels up to 50 mg/kg, as determined by EIA and HPLC-FLD. It is concluded that the alternariol immunoassays present a versatile screening tool which could facilitate food control for Alternaria toxins.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Dairy Science, Institute of Veterinary Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, Justus Liebig-University, Ludwigstrasse 21, 35390 Giessen, Germany. Milchwissenschaften@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.forename: Valeriu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Curtui
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Hadri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Latif
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Märtlbauer
authors.forename: Ewald
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Usleber
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis*; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D027845:Malus / Q000737:chemistry*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007783:Lactones; D009183:Mycotoxins; C005197:alternariol