A novel sensitive bioassay for detection of Bacillus cereus emetic toxin and related depsipeptide ionophores

Research was conducted to examine a new, sensitive, inexpensive and rapid bioassay for the detection of the emetic toxin of Bacillus cereus. The novel bioassay is based on the motility loss of boar spermatozoa upon 24 h of exposure to emetic B cereus strains extracts or contaminated food. Results indicate swollen mitochondria of the paralyzed spermatozoa but no epetion of cellular ATP or damage to plasma membrane integrity was observed.