Choosing the right mycotoxin test for your business
Knowledge is power when it comes to effectively managing the dynamic challenge that mycotoxins pose to the productivity of even the best-run livestock operations. Since they are both invisible and odorless, the task of detecting these unwanted toxic compounds relies upon a range of specialist detection methods, each possessing its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to deploying it in a mycotoxin control program. Some areas to consider when selecting a testing method include:
• The type of ingredients or feedstuffs that are being analyzed
• How often you are carrying out analyses
• The time required to access the results
• The cost of each testing method
What testing methods are available?
Mycotoxin testing methods can generally fall into two categories: on-site or rapid test systems, and the more sophisticated laboratory-based detection systems. To make a quick distinction between the two, rapid tests are generally used when testing individual raw materials and can typically detect up to six of the key mycotoxins, while lab-based testing is used for more complex feedstuffs such as finished feeds and TMRs and can simultaneously detect a much higher number of mycotoxins.
Rapid test methods
Lateral flow devices (LFDs) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are the two primary rapid test options. Both of these methods provide a quick and relatively inexpensive way to screen individual ingredients and are typically capable of detecting the levels of the six most well-known mycotoxins (aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisin, ochratoxin and T2-HT2).
To detect mycotoxins, LFDs use specific antibodies that will recognize and bind to the target mycotoxin that is present in the sample. If the target mycotoxin is present in the sample being analyzed, it binds to the antibodies on the test strip, and a colored line will be visible. The intensity of this line represents the amount of mycotoxin that is present. If the sample is free of mycotoxins, or below the level of detection, a line will not appear. Quantification of mycotoxin levels is possible with a specialized reader or even through a smartphone app.
Similar to LFDs, ELISA tests rely on the interaction between specific antibodies and mycotoxins that are present in a sample. The main difference with ELISA is that instead of using an antibody-coated test strip, ELISA technology uses antibody-coated microwells and a secondary antibody conjugate solution that is linked to an enzyme, which creates a detectable signal using substrate that remains when any unbound material is removed. The color change that results from the reaction between the substrate and the enzyme can be measured using a spectrophotometer or microplate reader. Proportionally, the intensity of the signal created is inverse to the levels of mycotoxins present; the darker the color, the less mycotoxin that is in the sample. Comparing the signal intensity that is generated against a set of known standards allows for the determination of the concentration of mycotoxin that is present in the sample.
Lab-based methods
Among available lab-based methods, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) are two of the most widely recognized techniques. HPLC separates mycotoxins in a sample using a high-pressure liquid chromatography column filled with a solid adsorbent material. This stationary material interacts with the mycotoxins, separating them based on their physical and chemical properties. The separated mycotoxins pass through a detector, and their levels are determined by comparing the signal to known standards. LCMS/MS combines HPLC's separation techniques with the analytical power of mass spectrometry. After separation, the sample enters the mass spectrometer, where the first mass analyzer filters compounds by mass. For instance, a setting of 313 m/z allows aflatoxins through while excluding other mycotoxins like DON (297 m/z). The selected compound enters a collision cell, fragmenting into unique components that serve as a fingerprint for identification. The final mass analyzer further filters these fragments, confirming the mycotoxin’s presence. LCMS/MS excels in specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity by controlling interfering peaks and removing them.
Making a choice between testing methods
Mycotoxin testing methods can complement each other. LFDs and ELISA offer quick, cost-effective routine testing, while HPLC or LCMS/MS provide periodic validation. For finished feeds or TMRs, lab-based analysis is essential. Effective programs should generate insights on species risk and guide nutritional solutions. Advanced data analysis may soon better link mycotoxin risk to animal productivity.
Empowering livestock operations with the right mycotoxin testing strategy
The combination of rapid and lab-based testing methods, coupled with programs like the Alltech 2025 Asia Import Risk Analysis, equips producers with the tools needed to safeguard their livestock against mycotoxin risk. By signing up, you’ll gain access to the latest data on mycotoxin contamination trends, helping you make informed decisions to safeguard feed quality and animal health. Sign up here: https://go.alltech.com/asiaimport-risk-analysis-2025
