Aflatoxin Measurement and Analysis

Much research work has been devoted over the last 40 years for developing methods for detection and determination of aflatoxins in foods and agriculture commodities (Chu, 1991; Holcomb, et al., 1992). This effort is continuing and keeping pace with the progress in analytical chemistry. Methods for aflatoxins are required to meet the legislation, monitoring and survey work, and for research. Different highly efficient and sophisticated techniques have been developed in the recent years for the determination of aflatoxins in different commodities. Presently the most commonly used methods for detection of aflatoxins are: high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Lee et al., 2009) and fluorometeric method (Hansen, 1990). All analytical procedures include the steps: sampling, extraction, cleanup (purification) and determination (identification and quantification). The analytical detail in this chapter has been discussed in three sub-groups: sample preparation techniques, detection techniques and typical complete procedures.