Tanveer Haadia, Glesener Hannah, Su Blake, Bolsinger Brooke, Krajmalnik-Brown Rosa, Voth-Gaeddert Lee E
Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
School for Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
Toxins (Basel). 2025 Jan 14;17(1):37. doi: 10.3390/toxins17010037.
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination of food crops pose severe public health risks, particularly in decentralized agricultural systems common in low-resource settings. Effective monitoring tools are critical for mitigating exposure, but their adoption is limited by barriers such as cost, infrastructure, and technical expertise. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate common AFB1 detection methods, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and lateral-flow assays (LFA), validated via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), focusing on their suitability for possible applications in decentralized, low-resource settings; and (2) to conduct a barriers-to-use assessment for commonly available AFB1 detection methods and their applicability in low-resource settings. Among four ELISA kits, the AgraQuant Aflatoxin B1 2/50 ELISA Kit demonstrated the highest accuracy and precision, reliably quantifying AFB1 in maize and tortillas across 5-150 ppb with minimal cross-reactivity. For LFA, a smartphone-based algorithm achieved a high presence/absence accuracy rate of 84% but struggled with concentration prediction. The barriers-to-use analysis highlighted the practicality of low-cost tools like moisture readers for field screening but underscored their qualitative limitations. Advanced methods like HPLC and LC-MS offer greater precision but remain impractical due to their high costs and infrastructure requirements, suggesting a potential role for adapted ELISA or LFA methods as confirmatory approaches. These findings support the development of multi-tiered frameworks integrating affordable field tools with regional or centralized confirmatory testing. Addressing systemic barriers through capacity building, partnerships, and improved logistics will enhance AFB1 monitoring in decentralized systems, protecting public health in vulnerable communities.
粮食作物中的黄曲霉毒素B1（AFB1）污染会带来严重的公共卫生风险，在资源匮乏地区常见的分散农业系统中尤为如此。有效的监测工具对于减少接触风险至关重要，但其采用受到成本、基础设施和技术专长等障碍的限制。本研究的目的是：（1）评估常见的AFB1检测方法，包括酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）和侧向流动测定（LFA），并通过高效液相色谱法（HPLC）进行验证，重点关注其在分散的、资源匮乏环境中可能应用的适用性；（2）对常用的AFB1检测方法进行使用障碍评估及其在资源匮乏环境中的适用性。在四种ELISA试剂盒中，AgraQuant黄曲霉毒素B1 2/50 ELISA试剂盒表现出最高的准确性和精密度，能够可靠地定量检测玉米和玉米饼中5-150 ppb的AFB1，交叉反应最小。对于LFA，基于智能手机的算法实现了84%的高存在/不存在准确率，但在浓度预测方面存在困难。使用障碍分析强调了水分读取器等低成本工具用于现场筛查的实用性，但也强调了其定性局限性。像HPLC和LC-MS这样的先进方法提供了更高的精度，但由于成本高和基础设施要求，仍然不切实际，这表明改良的ELISA或LFA方法作为确证方法可能发挥作用。这些发现支持开发多层次框架，将经济实惠的现场工具与区域或集中确证检测相结合。通过能力建设、伙伴关系和改善物流来解决系统性障碍，将加强分散系统中的AFB1监测，保护脆弱社区的公众健康。
