title: Automated Aflatoxin Analysis Using Inline Reusable Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup and LC-Fluorescence Detection.
abstract: A novel reusable immunoaffinity cartridge containing monoclonal antibodies to aflatoxins coupled to a pressure resistant polymer has been developed. The cartridge is used in conjunction with a handling system inline to LC with fluorescence detection to provide fully automated aflatoxin analysis for routine monitoring of a variety of food matrixes. The handling system selects an immunoaffinity cartridge from a tray and automatically applies the sample extract. The cartridge is washed, then aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 are eluted and transferred inline to the LC system for quantitative analysis using fluorescence detection with postcolumn derivatization using a KOBRA® cell. Each immunoaffinity cartridge can be used up to 15 times without loss in performance, offering increased sample throughput and reduced costs compared to conventional manual sample preparation and cleanup. The system was validated in two independent laboratories using samples of peanuts and maize spiked at 2, 8, and 40 μg/kg total aflatoxins, and paprika, nutmeg, and dried figs spiked at 5, 20, and 100 μg/kg total aflatoxins. Recoveries exceeded 80% for both aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins. The between-day repeatability ranged from 2.1 to 9.6% for aflatoxin B1 for the six levels and five matrixes. Satisfactory Z-scores were obtained with this automated system when used for participation in proficiency testing (FAPAS®) for samples of chilli powder and hazelnut paste containing aflatoxins.
authors.affiliation: R-Biopharm Rhone Ltd, Block 10, Todd Campus, West of Scotland Science Park, Acre Rd, Glasgow G20 OXA, UK.
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rhemrev
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pazdanska
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marley
authors.forename: Scarlett
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biselli
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Staiger
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity / Q000379:methods*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005453:Fluorescence; D057230:Limit of Detection
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins