Description
Principle of the assay: This assay is based on the competitive enzyme immunoassay for the detection of DON in the sample. The coupling antigens are pre-coated on the micro-well stripes. The DON in the sample and the coupling antigens pre-coated on the micro-well stripes compete for the anti-DON antibodies. After the addition of the enzyme conjugate, the substrate solution is added for coloration. The optical density (OD) value of the sample has a negative correlation with the DON in it. This value is compared to the standard curve and the DON concentration is subsequently obtained.
Background: Vomitoxin, also known as deoxynivalenol (DON), is a type B trichothecene, an epoxy-sesquiterpenoid. This mycotoxin occurs predominantly in grains such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and maize, and less often in rice, sorghum, and triticale. The occurrence of deoxynivalenol is associated primarily with Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) and F. culmorum, both of which are important plant pathogens which cause fusarium head blight in wheat and gibberella or fusarium ear blight in maize. A direct relationship between the incidence of fusarium head blight and contamination of wheat with deoxynivalenol has been established. The incidence of fusarium head blight is strongly associated with moisture at the time of flowering (anthesis), and the timing of rainfall, rather than the amount, is the most critical factor. However, increased amount of moisture towards harvest time has been associated with lower amount of vomitoxin in wheat grain due to leaching of toxins. Furthermore, deoxynivalenol contents are significantly affected by the susceptibility of cultivars towards Fusarium species, previous crop, tillage practices, and fungicide use