Abstract
Phycotoxins and mycotoxins, such as paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins, type A trichothecenes, and aflatoxins are among the most toxic low molecular weight toxins associated with human poisoning incidents through the consumption of naturally contaminated food. Therefore, there is an utmost need for rapid and sensitive on-site detection systems. Herein, an electrochemical biochip for fast detection of saxitoxin, T-2 toxin as well as aflatoxin M1 and their corresponding congeners, respectively, using a portable and fully automated detection platform (pBDi, portable BioDetector integrated) was developed. Toxin analysis is facilitated upon the biochip via an indirect competitive immunoassay using toxin-specific antibodies combined with anti-idiotypic antibodies. The developed biochips enable detection in the low ng/mL-range within 17 min. Moreover, the assays cover a wide linear working range of 2–3 orders of magnitude above the limit of detection with an inter-chip coefficient of variation lower than 15%. The broad specificity of the employed antibodies which react with a large number of congeners within the respective toxin group allows efficient screening of contaminated samples for the presence of these low molecular weight toxins. With respect to the analysis of human urine samples, we focused here on the detection of saxitoxin, HT-2 toxin, and aflatoxin M1, all known as biomarkers of acute toxin exposure. Overall, it was proved that the developed biochip assays can be used to rapidly and reliably identify severe intoxications caused by these low molecular weight toxins.
Highlights
IntroductionLike phycotoxins and mycotoxins, are highly toxic contaminants posing a risk to human and animal health
Low molecular weight toxins, like phycotoxins and mycotoxins, are highly toxic contaminants posing a risk to human and animal health
A competitive electrochemical immunoassay format relying on the use of anti-idiotypic Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for detection of several low molecular weight toxins such as STX, T-2/HT-2, and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is presented
Summary
Like phycotoxins and mycotoxins, are highly toxic contaminants posing a risk to human and animal health. Symptoms of PSP include numbness of lips, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea followed by muscle paralysis and respiratory failure in acute cases (Van Egmond et al, 1993). Another health threat is associated with the consumption of plant food contaminated by fungi which produce mycotoxins as secondary metabolites. Trichothecenes and aflatoxins are two classes of mycotoxins mostly associated with human health issues. T-2/HT-2 are the most potent trichothecene toxins and poisoning in humans is known as alimentary toxic aleukia resulting in alimentary hemorrhage, damages to hematopoietic tissues, and vomiting (Adhikari et al, 2017). Due to carcinogenetic properties of AFB1, a dietary exposure to AFB1 can be linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, while an acute aflatoxicosis induces abdominal pain, vomiting, edema, and death (Williams et al, 2004)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
