Humana Mycotoxin Protocols: 157 (Methods in Molecular Biology, 157)

Mycotoxins produced by molds are common contaminants of many important crops, including wheat, corn, rice, and peanuts. Some mycotoxins are found in fruits and vegetables. These contaminants have a broad range of toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. The occurrence of mycotoxins in foods is an unavoidable worldwide problem. About 80 countries have imposed regulatory limits to minimize human and animal exposure to mycotoxins. Regulatory limits, including international standards, have tremendous economic impact and must be developed using science-based risk assessments. The purpose of Mycotoxin Protocols is to provide the scientific and technological basis for analytical methods for use in obtaining the exposure data needed for risk assessments. Mycotoxin Protocols is divided into four sections, which are interc- nected. The first section: Chapters 1–5 describe the general techniques for mycotoxin analysis with emphasis on the importance of method validation based on statistical parameters; sampling procedures for collecting a sample as representative as possible of a bulk lot; the isolation of mycotoxins for use as analytical standards or for toxicological studies; the evaluation of purity and preparation of standards; and the detection and identification of impu- ties in isolated mycotoxins. Sections 2–4: Chapters 6–19 describe the most current chromatographic and immunochemical methods for studies on the major mycotoxins. Review "...many analysts will be attracted by this book in which assays for several mycotoxins are described." - MicroBiology Today "After reading the complete book, I would like to congratulate the editors as well as all the authors for work well-done. This book is well-written and could be used both as a practical laboratory handbook as well as a reference book for research scientists. The authors have not only described the protocols in detail, but also reviewd different methodologies and provided notes of their own experience in some of the protocols. These notes are extremely useful for the readeres to understand the rationales, difficulties, steps to overcome the problems, alternatives for certain steps, precautions for certain steps as well as approaches to modify some steps/protocols for other related mycotoxins. " - Journal of Food Biochemistry From the Back Cover Mycotoxins, common food contaminants produced by molds, are associated with a broad range of serious toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity, are subject to regulatory restrictions in more than 80 countries. In Mycotoxin Protocols, a panel of accomplished scientists describe their innovative, cutting-edge methods for determining the levels of various mycotoxins in foods and feeds. Almost half of the methods presented involve molecular-based immunochemical or immunochemical/chromatographic techniques. The necessary equipment, reagents, and procedures are given in great detail for the analysis of a wide variety of significant mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, aflatoxin M1, cyclopiazonic acid, ochratoxin A, trichothcenes, moniliformin, fumonisins, zearalenone, Stachybotrys toxins, citrinin, patulin, ergot alkaloids, and Alternaria toxins. General techniques for mycotoxin analyses, sampling procedures for collecting representative test samples, isolation techniques, and techniques for the detection and identification of toxins and impurities are also included. Up-to-date and highly practical, Mycotoxin Protocols provides a comprehensive collection of the latest bioanalytical techniques for determining mycotoxins in foods and feeds.