Comparison of monoclonal antibody performance characteristics for the detection of two representatives of A- and B-trichothecenes: T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi belonging mainly to the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera. They represent a relevant source of danger to human and animal health causing food- and feed-borne intoxication. One group, produced by Fusarium spp., are the trichothecenes, of which T-2 toxin belongs to the type-A trichothecenes and deoxynivalenol to the type-B trichothecenes. As these mycotoxins are ubiquitous, the testing of products is required to keep our food and feed safe. For this purpose, sensitive and reliable tests are needed to detect contaminations. One detection possibility is an immunoanalytical based test which needs antibodies as reagents. Cell culture facilities allow cell line selection and production of monoclonal antibodies for further immunological test development. Especially for mycotoxins antibody development for further use in immunoassays is a crucial task. T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol specific monoclonal antibodies were developed and further characterised to test stability and solvent resistance properties. Especially cross-reactivities were determined to related mycotoxins also belonging to the trichothecene family, e.g. HT-2 toxin or 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol.