Luisa Cheng
United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, USA
Biography
Foodborne toxins such as botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and mycotoxins are foodborne toxins that cause severe human diseases. Because of their acute toxicity, there are intense research efforts to develop sensitive detection tools, vaccines and therapeutics. In our laboratories, high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed for the detection of different BoNT serotypes in commonly used ELISA and new immunoassays using electrochemiluminescence and microfluidic platforms. Detection limits of these new assays fall within the pg/ml range, well below those of standard assays for BoNTs. New gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods are tested for the early detection of fungal contamination in nut products. A better understanding of the biology of toxins in plants and animals and the factors that affect their toxicity, coupled with the development of more sensitive detection and simpler diagnostic tests, would be invaluable for advancing food safety and protection.
Abstract
Abstract : New methods for the detection and mitigation of food-borne toxins