Evaluation of latex agglutination inhibition reaction test for rapid detection of aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a mycotoxin mainly produced by some Aspergillus species, has been found in a wide range of agricultural products. To avoid the risk of AFB1 consumption, many agricultural commodities, foods and feeds should be analyzed and a rapid and non-instrumental method for the detection of AFB1 is needed. In this study, a rapid, inexpensive and user-friendly latex agglutination inhibition reaction test (LAIRT) for on site testing of AFB1 had been established. At first, carboxylated polystyrene latex particles (CPLP) were prepared by soap-free polymerization and sensitized with aflatoxin B1 oxime-BSA (AFB1O-BSA) for the detection of AFB1. In LAIRT, the agglutination reaction with AFB1O-BSA-sensitized CPLP and anti-AFB1 antiserum mixture was inhibited by 5 ng/mL AFB1 and the analysis time for 6 samples on one glass slide was less than 10 min. Subsequently, 10 rice and peanut samples were analyzed by LAIRT and ELISA, and the results showed that 1 rice sample and 2 peanut samples were positive and in agreement with those of ELISA. However, the results could be obtained more rapidly by LAIRT than ELISA. This easy and rapid LAIRT might be useful for screening AFB1 of agricultural commodities, foods and feeds in the field.