Initial Steps of Research Indeveloping a Lateral Flow Immunoassay Kit for Rapid Detection of Ochratoxin a in Food

Aims: To determine some technical parameters of rapid test strips to detect Ochratoxin A. Methods: Research was conducted at the Department of Military Hygiene, Military Medical Academy. We had optimized a number of test parameters including: pre-treatment of conjugate pads, antibody concentration covering the gold nanoparticles, capture antibody concentration, and running buffer. Determine the technical parameters of test strips manufactured to detect Ochratoxin A, including cross-reactivity, stability, sensitivity, specificity. Results: Antibody concentration of 20 µg/ml covering the gold particle reached saturation state and LOD is 1 µg/ml. The capture antibody concentration was 0.75 mg/ml; Lactose 10% and sucrose 10% enhanced the release of gold particle-antibody complexes through the conjugate membrane. The test strip did not cross-react with standard samples of Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin M1, and Patulin at the concentrations tested. Conclusion: The results show that optimizing the parameters are important. Evaluation of the technical parameters of the rapid test strip for Ochratoxin A detection shows that the test strip has sensitivity and specificity at a high level.