Detection and quantification of the T‐2 mycotoxin by ELISA utilizing toxin‐specific polyclonal antibodies raised in chickens

Abstract

Polyclonal antibodies against T‐2 toxin (T‐2) were raised in chickens immunized with a toxin‐protein conjugate. A sensitive, indirect competitive ELISA was developed that allowed the detection of T‐2 at concentrations higher than 0.04 ng ml‐1. The antibodies cross‐reacted with other toxins/toxin derivatives having the same trichothecene nucleus as T‐2, whereby the degree of cross‐reactivity was modulated by the number of acetyl groups and site of their attachment to the trichothecene ring. The ELISA was used successfully for quantification of T‐2 extracted from wheat samples that were spiked in vitro with toxin at a level of 5–500 ng g‐1 (ppb). These results show that, for the first time, anti‐T‐2 antibodies have been developed in chickens and that they can be used for the quantification of T‐2 in wheat grains.