The state-of-the-art in the analysis of type-A and -B trichothecene mycotoxins in cereals

The aim of this review is to describe the state-of-the-art in the analysis of A- and B-trichothecene mycotoxins in cereals and to support knowledge an d experience exchange between laboratories in the field of Fusarium mycotox in analysis. Current screening tests and quantitative methods for the most prevalent type-A and B-trichothecenes, HT-2 and T-2-toxin, and deoxynivalen ol (DON) are reviewed. This includes the extraction and clean-up procedures and chromatographic methods (TLC, HPLC, GC) applied and the immunochemical methods, especially enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), employed fo r the determination of these mycotoxins. Results from recent intercompariso n studies of the determination of DON are also discussed. Experience gained during these intercomparisons clearly shows the need for further improveme nt in the determination of trichothecenes, to obtain more accurate and comp arable results. This also indicates there is a strong need for the developm ent of further certified reference materials (CRM) which would enable compa rison of measurement results between different European laboratories for se veral A- and B-trichothecenes. For both A- and B-trichothecenes there is st ill a lack of simple and reliable screening methods enabling the rapid dete ction of these mycotoxins at low cost.