An ELISA method for the rapid and simple determination of aflatoxin in human serum.

A rapid, simple method for the determination of aflatoxin in human serum using anti-aflatoxin antisera in an indirect, double antibody microtitration plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described. Direct assay of serum necessitated the availability of a large sample volume, due to the presence of 'non-specific' interference. Addition of methanol to sera removed the interference enabling the analysis to be performed on small volumes (0.5 ml) of serum. The sensitivity of the assay is 20 pg ml-1. Total assay time, including sample preparation, is 4.5 h. No aflatoxin was found in any of the UK samples analysed.