Development of an ELISA kit for the detection of aflatoxine B1, aimed at the control of grains, foods and animal foods

• Grant number: 01/13408-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: October 01, 2002
• End date: December 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Claudete Serrano Astolfi Ferreira
• Grantee: Claudete Serrano Astolfi Ferreira
• Company: Al Tech Comércio e Importação ltda
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

Mycotoxins are metabolytes produced by fungi which grow naturally and contaminate grains, animal foods and human foodstuffs. When ingested they can cause varying levels of toxicity depending on the type, the quantity of toxin, the species, the sex and the nutritional state of the animal. Besides this, some mycotoxins, and particularly aflatoxin, have been described as important carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic agents or causers of estrogenic effects. The detection and subsequent control of contamination by aflatoxins are carried out by means of sensitive and specific analytical tests. Historically, physico-chemical methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gaseous chromatography (GC) are traditionally used for these determinations. Although these methods offer a high level of reproducibility, they are onerous, slow and require specialized personnel, since carcinogenic chemical reagents are used in the manipulation. The techniques of immunological tests have shown results of high specificity and sensitivity, do not present health risks to the manipulator and require simple and rapid steps for the diagnosis. In addition, they allow a much larger number of tests to be carried out at a lower cost, leading consequently to a better control of grains, foodstuffs and animals foods. In phase 1 of the project, the standardization of an ELISA kit for the detection of aflatoxin B1 was carried out by direct competition, using commercially acquired monoclonal antibodies. In phase 2 the standardization of an ELISA kit will be undertaken using monoclonal antibodies produced in Brazil, making this technology accessible to a greater number of patients. (AU)