Immunoassay based on monoclonal antibody for aflatoxin detection in poultry feed

An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) based on an anti-aflatoxin B 1 monoclonal antibody was standardised and validated for aflatoxin screening in poultry feed samples and its performance was compared to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ic-ELISA showed good linearity ( r 2 = 0.994) and detection limits of 1.25 ng g −1 for broiler feed and 1.41 ng g −1 for laying hen feed. Mean aflatoxin recovery rates by ic-ELISA were 102% (laying hen feed) and 98% (broiler feed). Aflatoxins were detected in 88.2% of the 34 broiler feed samples by ic-ELISA and HPLC at means of 10.48 ng g −1 and 8.41 ng g −1 , respectively, while 92% of laying hen feed samples ( n = 36) showed aflatoxin contamination at means of 20.83 and 19.75 ng g −1 . The standardised ic-ELISA showed reliability and a high correlation with HPLC of 0.97 (broiler feed) and 0.98 (laying hen feed) indicating its potential for aflatoxin screening in poultry feed samples.