Issue 1, 2018

Validation of a lateral flow immunoassay for the rapid determination of aflatoxins in maize by solvent free extraction

Abstract

The analytical performances of a lateral flow immunoassay (AFLA-V AQUA™, Vicam a Waters Business) for the determination of aflatoxins in maize were evaluated according to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 519/2014. This case study showed how a critical evaluation of validation results can provide a quite informative picture of kit performances for its use for different purposes. The validation study, performed at aflatoxin B1 levels encompassing EU maximum permitted levels (up to 8 μg kg−1), provided information on the method precision profile, cut off values, and false suspect and false negative rates. The total precision expressed as relative standard deviation varied from 14 to 29% for contaminated samples. Cut off values calculated considering 2 μg kg−1 or 4 μg kg−1 as the screening target concentration were 1.24 and 2.18 μg kg−1, respectively, whereas the resultant false suspect rate for blanks was 42% and 8%, respectively. The false negative rate for samples containing the analyte at higher concentrations was found to be lower than 1%. Analysis of naturally contaminated maize samples performed by the lateral flow immunoassay and the AOAC official method revealed a good correlation (parameters of the linear regression: r = 0.97, slope = 0.96) between the obtained results. A satisfactory agreement between reference values and test results was also obtained in the analysis of reference materials. Finally, a QC protocol based on guidelines suggested in the EU regulation was designed to verify kit performances over time and in new production lots.

Graphical abstract: Validation of a lateral flow immunoassay for the rapid determination of aflatoxins in maize by solvent free extraction

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Sep 2017
Accepted
26 Nov 2017
First published
27 Nov 2017

Anal. Methods, 2018,10, 123-130

Validation of a lateral flow immunoassay for the rapid determination of aflatoxins in maize by solvent free extraction

Veronica M. T. Lattanzio, N. Guarducci, S. Powers, B. Ciasca, M. Pascale and C. von Holst, Anal. Methods, 2018, 10, 123 DOI: 10.1039/C7AY02249B

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