43-3 |
Immunological detection of Fusarium species in a model food system |
M. S. Iyer and M. A. COUSIN. Dept. of Food Science, Purdue Univ., 1160 Food Science Bldg., West Lafayette, 47906 Fusaria are common field fungi infecting mostly cereal grains. They are a major problem for grain producers in the mid-western USA. They also produce a number of mycotoxins such as fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and trichocethenes, which are known to be toxic to animals and also may cause certain diseases in humans. Fusarium mycotoxins are resistant to most processing conditions such as frying, baking and dry milling. Also, some Fusarium species can grow before, during or after processing of foods; therefore, it is essential to detect Fusarium species before they produce mycotoxins in foods. The objective of this study was to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the sensitive and specific detection of mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species in foods. Mycelial proteins extracted from Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium moniliforme were used to produce polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. The indirect ELISA was used to determine sensitivity of the assay. A cornmeal solution was used as the model food system. Seventy mold species belonging to 22 genera were used to determine the specificity of the anti-Fusarium antibodies in the ELISA. An assay was developed that had a detection limit of 0.1 to 1 mg of mold mycelium when added to a cornmeal solution. Live spores were detected at concentrations between 102 to 103 cfu/ml. The antibodies did not cross react with any of the yeasts, Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. tested. Only Monascus and Phoma species had high cross-reactivity with the antibodies; however, these molds are not commonly found in foods and should not interfere with the assay. The ELISA developed will help in the detection of Fusarium species in foods and feeds. This assay was able to detect all Fusarium species tested, which suggests that these antibodies could be used to further develop an immunocapture system to detect Fusarium.
Session 43, Food Microbiology: Food mycology
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