Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analytical methods for aflatoxins in corn and peanuts

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aflatoxin determinations can be approached many ways. Peanuts and corn are more often contaminated with aflatoxins B1 and B2 than with aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2. Some countries are only interested in B1 content and others are interested in the total aflatoxin content. It is essential to safely handle all experimental materials associated with aflatoxin analyses or the aflatoxigenic fungi. Visual screening of suspect peanut lots, based on the presence of conidial heads of theAspergillus flavus group, and screening corn for the presence of bright greenish yellow fluorescence (BGYF) are not chemical tests and such screening techniques may allow aflatoxin contaminated lots into commerce. Minicolumn screening procedures should always be used in conjunction with a quantitative method. Several thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods are suitable for quantitation and are in general use. Immunochemical methods such as the ELISA or affinity column methods are being rapidly developed. The chemical and immunochemical methods can be reliable if care is taken, using suitable controls and personnel that are welltrained. All analytical laboratories should stress safety and include suitable analytical validation procedures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander RJ, Baur MC (1977) Note on a two-dimensional TLC procedure for determining aflatoxins in corn. Cereal Chem 54:699–704

    Google Scholar 

  • Association of Official Analytical Chemists (1984) Williams S (ed.), Official methods of analysis (14th ed) Assoc Offic Anal Chem Inc, 1111 N 19th St, Suite 210 Arlington, VA 22209

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagley EB (1979) Decontamination of corn containing aflatoxin by treatment with ammonia. J Amer Oil Chem Soc 56:808–811

    Google Scholar 

  • Cauderay P (1979) Rapid chemical confirmation method for aflatoxin B1 and G1 by direct acetylation on a thin layer plate before chromatography. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 62:197

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang-Yen I, Stoute VA, Felmine JB (1984) Effect of solvent composition on aflatoxin fluorescence. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 67:306–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu FS, Ueno I (1977) Production of antibody against aflatoxin B1. Appl Environ Microbiol 33:1125–1128

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen H, Lapointe M (1981) High pressure liquid chromatographic determination and fluorescence detection of aflatoxins in corn and dairy feeds. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 64:1372–1376

    Google Scholar 

  • Dantzman J, Stoloff L (1972) Screening method for aflatoxin in corn and various corn products. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 55:139–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis ND, Dickens JW, Freie RL, Hamilton PB, Shotwell OL, Wyllie TD (1980) Protocols for surveys, sampling, post-collection handling, and analysis of grain samples involved in mycotoxin problems. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 63:95–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis ND, Diener UL (1980) Test for the high pressure liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxin B1. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 63:107–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis ND, Guy ML, Diener UL (1981) Improved fluorometriciodine method for determination of aflatoxin in corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 64:1074–1076

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVries JW, Chang HL (1982) Comparison of rapid high pressure liquid chromatographic and CB methods for determination of aflatoxins in corn and peanuts. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 65:206–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickens JW, Whitaker TB (1986) Sampling and sample preparation methods for mycotoxin analysis. In: Cole, RJ (ed) Modern methods in the analysis and structural elucidation of mycotoxins. Academic Press, Orlando, FL, pp 29–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Diebold GJ, Karny N, Zare RN, Seitz LM (1979) Laser fluorometric determination of aflatoxin B1 in corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 62:564–569

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrlich KC, Lee LS (1984) Mycotoxins in grain dust: Method for analysis of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, vomitoxin, and secalonic acid. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 67:963–967

    Google Scholar 

  • El-NaKib O, Pestka JJ, Chu FS (1981) Determination of aflatoxin B1 in corn, wheat, and peanut butter by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and solid phase radioimmunoassay. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 64:1077–1082

    Google Scholar 

  • Fennell DI, Bothast RJ, Lillehoj EB, Peterson RE (1973) Bright greenish-yellow fluorescence and associated fungi in white corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxin. Cereal Chem 50:404–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Friesen MD, Walker EA, Castegnaro M (1980) International mycotoxin check sample program Part I: Report on the performance of participating laboratories. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 63:1057–1066

    Google Scholar 

  • Garner, RC (1975) Aflatoxin separation by high-pressure liquid chromatography. J Chromatography 103:186–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Groopman JD, Trudel LJ, Donahue PR, Marshak-Rothstein A, Wogan GN (1984) High affinity monoclonal antibodies for aflatoxins and their applications to solid-phase immunoassays. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA, 81:7728–7731

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill RA, Wilson DM, Burg WR, Shotwell OL (1984) Viable fungi in corn dust. Appl Environ Microbiol 47:84–87

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill RA, Wilson DM, McMillan WW, Widstrom NW, Cole RJ, Sanders TH, Blankenship PD (1985) Ecology of theAspergillus flavus group and aflatoxin formation in corn and peanut In: Lacey J (ed.) Trichothecenes and other mycotoxins. John Wiley and Sons, London pp 79–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Holaday CE (1981) Minicolumn chromatography: State of the art, J Am Oil Chem Soc 58:931A-934A

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchins JE, Hagler WM (1983) Rapid liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins in heavily contaminated corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 66:1458–1465

    Google Scholar 

  • Josefsson BGE, Moller TE (1977) Screening method for the detection of aflatoxins, ochratoxin, patulin. sterigmatocystin, and zearalenone in cereals. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 60:1369–1371

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamimura H, Nishijima M, Yasuda K, Ushiyama H, Tabata S, Matsumoto S, Nishima T (1985) Simple, rapid cleanup method for analysis of aflatoxins and comparisons with various methods. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 68:458–461

    Google Scholar 

  • Langone JJ, Van Vunakis H (1976) Aflatoxin B1: Specific antibodies and their use in radioimmunoassay. J Nat'1 Cancer Inst 56:591–595

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawellin DW, Grant DW, Joyce BK (1977) Enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis for aflatoxin B1. Appl Environ Microbiol 34:94–96

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee LS, Catalano EA (1981) Pons scaled-down clean-up column adapted for use in solvent-saving modification of the CB method for aflatoxin. J Am Oil Chem Soc 58:949A-951A

    Google Scholar 

  • Madhyastha MS, Bhat RV (1984) Application of TLC chemical confirmatory tests to minicolumn chromatography of aflatoxins. J Amer Oil Chem Soc 61:907–908

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinney JD, Cavanagh GC (1977) The American Oil Chemists' Society's Smalley mycotoxin check sample program: An evaluation. Ann Nutr Alim 31:519–529

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesheim S (1971) Fading of aflatoxin spots on TLC plates during fluorescence densitometry. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 54:1444–1445

    Google Scholar 

  • -(1979) Method of aflatoxin analysis. In: Trace organic analysis: A new frontier in analytical chemistry. Proc 9th materials research symposium. Nat'1 Bureau of Std Spec Publ 519, pp 355–372

  • Nesheim S, Brumley WC (1981) Confirmation of identity of aflatoxins. J Am Oil Chem Soc 58:945A-948A

    Google Scholar 

  • Panalaks T, Scott PM (1977) Sensitive silica gel-packed flow cell for fluorometric detection of aflatoxins by high pressure liquid chromatography. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 60:583–589

    Google Scholar 

  • Pestka JJ, Gaur PK, Chu FS (1980) Quantitation of aflatoxin B1 and B1 antibody by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent microassay. Appl Environ Microbiol 40:1027–1031

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pons WA Jr (1979) High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins in corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 62:586–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Przybylski W (1975) Formation of aflatoxin derivatives on thin layer chromatographic plates. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 58:163–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodricks JV (1973) Criteria for mycotoxin standards. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 56:1290–1291

    Google Scholar 

  • Romer TR, Ghouri N, Boling TM (1979) Minicolumn screening methods for detecting aflatoxin: State of the art. J Am Oil Chem Soc 56:795–797

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuller PL, Horowitz W, Stoloff L (1976) A review of sampling plans and collaboratively studied methods of analysis for aflatoxins. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 59:1315–1343

    Google Scholar 

  • Seitz LM (1975) Comparison of methods for aflatoxin analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography. J Chromatography 104:81–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Seitz LM, Mohr HE (1976) Simple method for simultaneous detection of aflatoxin and zearalenone in corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 59:106–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon GM, Shotwell OL (1975) A quantitative method for determination of aflatoxin B1 in roasted corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 58:743–745

    Google Scholar 

  • —(1979) Minicolumn detection for aflatoxin in yellow corn: Collaborative study. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 62:1070–1075

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard MJ, Gilbert J (1984) An investigation of HPLC postcolumn iodination conditions for the enhancement of aflatoxin B1 fluorescence. Food Addit Contamin 1:325–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Shotwell OL (1983) Aflatoxin detection and determination in corn. In: Diener UL, Asquith RL, Dickens JW (eds) Aflatoxin andAspergillus flavus in corn. South Coop Series Bull 279, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, pp 38–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Shotwell OL, Burg WR, Diller T (1981) Thin layer chromatographic determination of aflatoxin in corn dust. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 64:1060–1063

    Google Scholar 

  • Shotwell OL, Goulden ML (1977) Aflatoxin: Comparison of analyses of corn by various methods. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 60:83–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Shotwell OL, Hesseltine CW (1980) Use of bright greenish yellow fluorescence as a presumptive test for aflatoxin in com. Cereal Chem 58(2): 124–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Spilman JR Jr (1985) Modification of the rapid screening method for aflatoxin in corn for quantitative use. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 68:453–458

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoloff L, Castegnaro M, Scott P, O'Neill IK, Bartsch H, (eds) (1982) Environmental carcinogens. Selected methods of analysis, some mycotoxins, (IARC Scientific Publications No. 44). International Agency for Research on Cancer 150 cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 2, France. Vol 5, 455 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Stubblefield RD, Shotwell OL (1977) Reverse phase analytical and preparative high pressure liquid chromatography of aflatoxins. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 60:784–790

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun PS, Chu FS (1978) A simple solid-phase radioimmunoassay for aflatoxin B1. J Food Safety 1:67–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarter EJ, Hanchay JP, Scott PM (1984) Improved liquid chromatographic method for determination of aflatoxins in peanut butter and other commodities. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 67:597–600

    Google Scholar 

  • Thean JE, Lorenz DR, Wilson DM, Rodgers K, Gueldner RC (1980) Extraction, cleanup, and quantitative determination of aflatoxins in corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 63:631–633

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas F, Eppley RM, Trucksess MW (1975) Rapid screening method for aflatoxins and zearalenone in corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 58:114–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Trucksess MW, Brumley WC, Nesheim S (1984) Rapid quantitation and confirmation of aflatoxins in corn and peanut butter, using a disposable silica gel column, thin layer chromatography, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 67:973–975

    Google Scholar 

  • Velasco J (1981) Replacement of benzene as a solvent for aflatoxin standards. J Am Oil Chem Soc 58:938A-939A

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker TB, Dickens JW (1983) Evaluation of a testing program for aflatoxin in corn. J Assoc Offic Anal Chem 1055–1058

  • Widstrom NW, Wilson DM, McMillian WW (1981) Aflatoxin contamination of preharvest corn as influenced by timing and method of inoculation. Appl Environ Microbiol 42:249–251

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —(1982) Evaluation of sampling methods for detecting aflatoxin contamination in small test plots of corn inoculated withAspergillus flavus. J Environ Qual 11:655–657

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson DM (1987) Detection and determination of aflatoxins in corn. In: Zuber MS, Lillehoj EB, Renfro BL, (eds) Aflatoxin in corn: A proceedings of the workshop CIMMYT, Mexico, D.E, pp 100–109

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, 31793, Tifton, Georgia, USA

    David M. Wilson

Authors
  1. David M. Wilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wilson, D.M. Analytical methods for aflatoxins in corn and peanuts. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18, 308–314 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01062353

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01062353

Keywords

Search

Navigation