Analytical techniques for deoxynivalenol detection and quantification in wheat destined for the manufacture of commercial products

Abstract

The concern regarding toxicity from the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat that affects both economyand public health leads to the need to find appropriate detection methods for determining the degree of DONcontamination in terms of the equipment available and the speed required for obtaining the incidence. The objectiveof this study was to compare the performance of two alternative analytical techniques for DON quantification for usein the food industry with a reference technique. Samples of wheat and the commercial by-products were analysedby high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet detector as the reference method and theresults compared with those obtained from a rapid lateral-flow immunochromatographic device (Reveal Q+) andof a Fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique. Pearson?s correlation coefficient between the HPLCand Reveal-Q+ data (0.45), although significant (P<0.0003), was lower than that obtained between HPLC and theFTIR method (0.94, P<0.0001). Both methods were considered efficient in quantifying DON levels in wheat-floursamples. This study was aimed at assisting the producers in choosing an appropriate tool for the purpose of analysisand upon consideration of the available equipment.