Immunochemical detection of masked mycotoxins: A short review

Abstract

Mycotoxin derivatives that escape conventional analytical detection of parent (free) forms because their structure has been changed are designated masked mycotoxins. Masking phenomena are due to a defensive response of the host plant or can occur during food processing. Failure to detect masked mycotoxins will lead to a significant underestimation of the mycotoxin content of a particular sample. To date, mainly chromatographic methods were developed for masked mycotoxin determination and quantification. However, for fast screening, it is important to develop on-site methods for detection of masked and parent (free) forms. Although immunochemical methods could provide a simple and economical alternative to chromatography, their use for masked forms is only at the start of development. The key-point for antibody-based methods for masked mycotoxin determination is cross-reactivity of the specific antibody towards masked mycotoxins. If the antibody does not show meaningful affinity for masked forms, they will be latent, and the total content of this mycotoxin will be underestimated. If the antibody shows affinity for masked forms, the sum of free and masked forms will be determined. Currently, neither antibodies nor immuno-based methods were specifically developed for masked mycotoxins, but some enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test-kits and immunoaffinity columns for mycotoxins were evaluated for their detection. This paper describes possible applications of antibody-based techniques for masked mycotoxin detection on the basis of recent literature.