Peace be upon you all
Due to the lack of capabilities at the university and the state, and the lack of any institutional support, and because of the student’s passion for learning and research, I would like to ask, is there a simple test or method to detect aflatoxin?
Dear,
You fail to mention in what matrices the aflatoxins need to be “recognized” – in crude and unprocessed raw materials as corn, peanuts … ? The major representatives of aflatoxins are AFL B1, AFL B2, AFL G1 and AFL G2. Aflatoxin B group toxins are named for their blue fluorescence (425 nm), and aflatoxin G group toxins for their green fluorescence (450 nm) under UV irradiation. Aflatoxins exhibit strong fluorescence under UV conditions – a dual UV light (“black light”) exhibiting light with 254 and 365 nm (cost price – 300 to 400 $).
If you take 200 g of corn kernels and put them under the UV light – and aflatoxins are present then you see a blue fluorescence as AFL B1 is the major occurring aflatoxin. You can switch from the 254 to the 365 nm wavelength to notice the difference in fluorescence.
If you have a solvent like methanol or ethanol, then you can extract the aflatoxins - after concentration you can put a small aliquot on a TLC strip and then again put it under the dual UV light lamp.
Best wishes for 2024 !
Johan De Meester
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