A Lateral Flow Method for Aflatoxin B1 in Dry Dog Food: An Inter-Laboratory Trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nDogs are highly susceptible to aflatoxins, the mycotoxins which most commonly cause acute dog illnesses and deaths following consumption of contaminated food.\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\nIn this study, a screening method to detect aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in dry dog food was further evaluated at the FDA action level of 20\u2009ng/g. A fourth round multi-laboratory trial was performed. In contrast to the previous work, a different source of dog food was used in the multi-laboratory trial and more participants were involved.\n\n\nMETHOD\nThe tested lateral flow method employs a modified procedure of the Rosa® AFQ-Fast Test Kit from Charm Sciences Inc. A total of 60 unfortified blank study samples, 220 study samples fortified at 20\u2009ng/g, and 80 study samples fortified at 9-11\u2009ng/g were prepared by an independent party and analyzed in ten collaborating laboratories in a blinded manner.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe pass rates were 98.3% and 94.5% for unfortified and 20\u2009ng/g fortified study samples, respectively.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThe method is suitable for aflatoxin B1 screening at the FDA action level of 20\u2009ng/g in a complex matrix such as dry dog food.\n\n\nHIGHLIGHTS\nThis work completes extensive method performance evaluation through four rounds of multi-laboratory trials.