Strategies for mycotoxin testing – analytical perspectives from field to lab

We will demonstrate how easy to use, rapid tests can be implemented at the point of production to detect the presence of mycotoxins, and when lab-based reference methods are applied to provide a more comprehensive view of the level of contamination.​

We will conclude with a round table Q&A with our panel of speakers. ​

What you will learn: ​

• How to quickly identify contamination at the earliest opportunity in the supply chain.​

• How and when to use different technologies for mycotoxin testing.​

• How to select the appropriate clean-up options to best meet your needs.​

Part 1: Rapid detection of mycotoxins away from the traditional laboratory​

Food safety initiatives are increasingly focused on prevention. For mycotoxins, this means more upstream monitoring – often in raw commodities - at harvest, point of purchase, prior to storage or processing and for export shipment release. Lateral flow strip tests and simple fluorometric detection provide accurate, on-time data to help prevent the introduction of mycotoxins into raw commodity and finished product value streams.​

Part 2: The power of coupling selective clean up with efficient separations and highly sensitive fluorescence detection for the determination of aflatoxins

Laboratory-based methods for the quantitative determination of aflatoxins are typically based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Despite the trend in mycotoxin analysis to try to reach ever lower concentration levels more and more mycotoxins in one method, there remains a need for cost-effective HPLC methods based upon optical detectors.​

Part 3: Approaches based upon LC-MS/MS for the determination of mycotoxins

Over the last two decades, liquid chromatography with (tandem) mass spectrometry (LC-MS(/MS) has become the most frequently used laboratory-based technology for the determination of mycotoxins, often within a multi-analyte method. Methods are highly sensitive and can be applied to a very wide range of sample types including typical ingredients and finished products.

Presenter: Patricia Jackson (Market Development Manager, VICAM)

Patricia obtained her BS degree in Biology from Iowa State University, and has enjoyed 25+ years in food safety and quality analysis, with a passion for equipping field, process and laboratory testing environments for prevention and confirmatory testing. With a diverse background in rapid technologies, Patricia enjoys listening, learning and communicating fit-for-purpose strategies that serve food and agriculture safety and quality worldwide.

Presenter: Simon Hird (Market Development Manager, Waters Corporation)

Simon Hird joined Waters in 2014 after almost 20 years at Fera in the UK. Simon leads on marketing activities around methods for the determination of natural toxins and vetdrugs, is involved in the commercialisation of new technologies, and provides advice, training and context to various parts of the Waters organisation and to customers globally.

Presenter: Nicola Dreolin (Senior Scientist (R&D), Waters Corporation)

Nicola Dreolin is a senior scientist and natural toxins subject matter expert at Waters. Nicola is specialised in method development for a variety of food and environmental applications. He is currently involved in different research projects regarding metabolomics, ion mobility and direct-mass spectrometry for food testing and authenticity. Before joining Waters, Nicola worked as an analytical scientist at Hall Analytical Laboratories, where he developed targeted and screening methods for the analysis of extractables and leachables, pharmaceuticals, tobacco and agrochemicals.