Mycotoxin Analysis

The detection and quantitation of Mycotoxins such as Aflatoxins, Vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol (DON)), Ergot, Ochratoxin, and Zearalenone by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with immunoaffinty column detection is important for determining if food and food stuffs comply with legislative requirements and are fit for livestock or human consumption.

Testing for specific mycotoxins is undertaken as with regard to GAFTA and FOSFA contracts.

Aflatoxin Analysis

Aflatoxins are a group of naturally occurring mycotoxins that are produced by some species of the fungus genus Aspergillus, especially Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Aflatoxin B₁ & B₂ are produced by A. flavus and parasiticus. (Aflatoxin B₁ is considered to be the most toxic of the aflatoxins.) While Aflatoxin G₁ & G₂ are produced exclusively by A. parasiticus. Aflatoxins are highly toxic and are one of the most carcinogenic substances found.

Food products contaminated with aflatoxins include cereals (maize, sorghum, pearl millet, rice, wheat), oilseeds (groundnut, soybean, sunflower, cotton), spices (chillies, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, ginger), dried fruits (figs, dates) and nuts (almonds, pistachio, walnuts, coconut).

Molecular Structure of Vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol (DON)

Vomitoxin Analysis

Vomitoxin, also known as deoxynivalenol (DON), is a mycotoxin predominantly found in grains such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and maize, and sometimes in rice, sorghum, and triticale. Vomitoxin is associated primarily with the presence of two species of the fungus genus Fusarium, F. graminearum (Gibberella zeae) and F. culmorum.

Vomitoxin poisoning can result in reduced feed uptake, refusal to feed, vomiting, and the subsequent lack of weight increase in livestock.

Ochratoxin Analysis

Ochratoxins are mycotoxins produced by some species of the fungus genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, such as A. ochraceus and P. viridicatum, with ochratoxin A as the most prevalent and relevant fungal toxin of this group.

Ochratoxin A, is one of the most commonly found food-contaminating mycotoxins in the world. It is a toxin produced by A. ochraceus and P. verrucosum.

Ochratoxin A may be present in such commodities as cereals, coffee, dried fruit and red wine. It is considered carcinogenic to humans, can cause acute toxicity to mammalian kidneys and can be accumulated in the meat of animals. Resulting in the toxin contaminating the meat and meat products.

Zearalenone Analysis

Zearalenone (ZEA), also known as RAL and F-2 mycotoxin, is a toxin produced by some species of the fungus genera Giberella and Fusarium. Zearalenone is found to be present in a number of cereal crops, such as maize, barley, oats, wheat, rice, and sorghum.

It is of considerable concern to livestock and poultry producers as it is the primary toxin causing infertility, abortion or other breeding problems, especially in swine.

Please contact Mr Anwar (Ally) Aufogul (E-Mail: Anwar_Aufogul@salamonandseaber.co.uk) to discuss your analytical requirements or fill out a form for a quotation.

Please note that we are also able to correspond in Arabic, French, German, and Polish

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