OBJECTIVETo prepare immunoaffinity column of zearalenone.

METHODSThe zearalenone immunoaffinity column (IAC) was prepared by coupling CNBr-activated Sepharose 4 Fast Flow (4FF) with the anti-zearalenone monoclonal antibody which was purified by caprylic acid-ammonium sulfate method. The coupling reaction was identified by UV-absorbance measurements, and the IAC prepared was evaluated by indirect-competition ELISA and HPLC.

RESULTSThe column capacity was determined to be 0.40 microg when using 0.5 ml of CNBr activated Sepharose 4FF and 350 microg of purified anti-zearalenone monoclonal antibody. The mean true recoveries were in the range 76.33% - 90.10% and RSD was 6.68% - 10.93% at levels of 60 microg/kg - 300 microg/kg. 30 samples of wheat and maize were detected by the anti-ZEN IAC produced by the laboratory, 17 samples were observed to be contaminated in a comparable range from 31.33 microg/kg - 377.84 microg/kg. Detection limit based on a signal-to-noise ratio 3:1 was 10. 00 microg/kg for ZEN in wheat and maize.

CONCLUSIONIAC, a simple separating method which is used in ZEN extraction from cereals, is able to purify and condense ZEN in one step. The cost of detection can be lowered down because the IAC developed is hopefully to substitute the imported IAC.