Development of Aflatoxin B1 Determination Method by Competitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a prototype test kit using competitive lateral flow immunoassay technique for the visual qualitative assessment of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination in agricultural produces. We found that the prototype test kit had the limit of detection (LOD) and cut off values for buffer solution of 0.5 and 5.0 ng/ml, respectively. Whilst for peanut extract, the kit had the LOD and cut off values at 1.0 and 8.0 ng/ml, respectively. The accuracy and precision of the test results of prototype assays in peanut extract were within the acceptable range. Result of AFB1 contamination assessment using the prototype test kit was consistent with the HPLC analysis. The percentage accuracy of the test kit was 93.33%. Overall, the test results showed that the prototype test kit was rapid, accurate and reliable. The kit could be used in the initial assessment or monitoring of AFB1 contamination. After demonstrating the prototype test kit to the Plant Quarantine officials, we received the feedback opinion that the kit was convenient to use, the extraction method was simple, gave quick results which were easy to assess and the cost was economical.