HPLC and ELISA Methods for Detection and Quantification of Fumonisins in Naturally Contaminated Maize

Abstract Fumonisins are naturally occurring secondary metabolites of pathogenic fungi that frequently contaminate maize and other cereals in the field and/or during storage. Although the mass spectrometry multi-mycotoxin detection methods are considered as the state-of-the-art in this area of research, the lack of necessary equipment and experience in many laboratories as well as difficulties to analyze fumonisins in multi-toxin methods are the main reasons for use of ELISA and/or HPLC methods for routine testing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of HPLC method with post column derivatisation method for confirmation of the restults of competitive ELISA assay for detection and quantification of fumonisins (FB1, FB2 and FB3) in maize intended for use in feed industry. Calculated correlation parameters showed strong linear relationship of tested methods indicating that both methods are sensitive, reliable, reproducible, cost-effective and applicable for quantitative routine determination of fumonisins in maize.