Next Generation of LFD Testing - Smartphone-Based Mycotoxin Analysis with RIDA®SMART APP.

Abstract

BackgroundGrain mills, feed mills, ethanol plants, flour producers, but also mobile laboratory services need simple and reliable possibilities to analyze grain for mycotoxins during harvest in the field. ObjectiveThe RIDA®SMART APP is a smartphone application, which was developed together with a Lateral Flow Device as a quantitative and fast on-site/on-field tool for mycotoxin analyses.MethodIt is a small and light device with its own power supply, very versatile, flexible and easy to use. For quantification, a lot specific calibation curve is uploaded to the RIDA®SMART APP via a QR code from the certificate of analysis. The software application in combination with a compatible smartphone, analyzes the LFD strip via a picture taken with a smartphone and quantifies the mycotoxin contamination within 4 second. Due to the possibility to use mobile networks or WIFI, there are no difficulties in the organization of the collected results. Currently, nine different android-based smartphones from various manufacturers are compatible with the RIDA®SMART APP.ResultsIn combination with one of the compatible smartphones, the RIDA®SMART APP is able to generate results with a coefficient of variation CV ≤ 13%, even at highly varying lighting conditions. The recovery of certified reference corn samples, previously analyzed with HPLC or LC-MS/MS, shows a mean value between 91% - 119%.ConclusionThe RIDA®SMART APP is highly suitable for an inexpensive, quick and accurate quantitative measurement of mycotoxins in agricultural products (e.g. aflatoxins in corn).HighlightsTo our best knowledge, the RIDA®SMART APP is the only smartphone-based method for quantitative mycotoxin analysis worldwide combined with a broader measuring range as most usual lateral flow analyzers.