Validation of a Biochip Chemiluminescent Immunoassay for Multi-Mycotoxins Screening in Maize ( Zea mays L.)

A biochip chemiluminescent immunoassay was validated for multi-mycotoxins screening in maize. Screened mycotoxins were aflatoxins B 1 (AFB 1 ) and G 1 (AFG 1 ) ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), toxin T2 (T2), fumonisins (sum of FB 1 and FB 2 ) and deoxynivalenol (DON). The method included a single extraction step with acetonitrile:methanol:water (50:40:10, v/v/v). Spiked samples were fortified at 250 μg/kg for FB 1 + FB 2 , 1 μg/kg for AFB 1 and AFG 1 , 1.5 μg/kg for OTA, 50 μg/kg for ZEA, 25 μg/kg for T2 and 375 μg/kg for DON. The chemiluminescent signal of discrete test regions on the biochip is expressed in Relative Light Unit, and this value differs according to the mycotoxins’ concentration. Threshold value and the cut-off were calculated. Low false results rate was achieved (< 5%) and the obtained precision data is in agreement with EU legislation performance criteria. This assay revealed to be a valuable and cost-effective screening method for simultaneous semi-quantification of mycotoxins.