Densitometric equipment for rapid quantitation of aflatoxins on thin layer chromatograms 1

A densitometric instrument (Spotmeter) has been designed for rapid measurement of aflatoxin on thin layer chromatographic plates. The Spotmeter measures the total amount of fluorescence of the aflatoxin spot and thus eliminates the need for scanning mecha‐nisms, plotters and integrators incorporated into most commercially available densitometers used for aflatoxin analyses. In comparison with a Schoeffel SD 3000 Spectrodensitometer, the Spotmeter was more accurate in one test and at least equally accurate in another test. The Spotmeter made measurements in 1/4 the time required for the Spectrodensitometer and would cost about 1/6 as much as commercially available densitometers suitable for aflatoxin analyses.