[A cell-culture assay for the detection of mycotoxins. I. Investigations with pure toxins (author's transl)].

For the detection of mycotoxins by a biological assay cells were seeded in Microtiter-plates together with toxin. After 24 h and 6 days of culture cells were examined visually for cytocidal effects, growth inhibition, and morphological aberrations. Three human and 2 porcine cell-lines were compared as to their reaction with 16 mycotoxins and 9 organic chemicals. The results indicate that the toxin-activating systems differ with type and origin of cells. This suggests the use of several selected cell-lines in parallel for testing of microbially derived food additives for possible contamination by mycotoxins.