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An electrochemiluminescence assay for the detection of bio threat agents in selected food matrices and in the screening of Clostridium botulinum outbreak strains associated with type A botulism
Author(s) -
Sachdeva Amita,
Singh Ajay K,
Sharma Shashi K
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.6310
Subject(s) - botulism , electrochemiluminescence , clostridium botulinum , outbreak , microbiology and biotechnology , food poisoning , food microbiology , biology , food science , toxin , chemistry , virology , bacteria , chromatography , genetics , detection limit
Abstract BACKGROUND Specific screening methods for complex food matrices are needed that enable unambiguous and sensitive detection of bio threat agents ( BTAs ) such as Bacillus anthracis spores and microbial toxins (e.g. staphylococcal enterotoxin B ( SEB ) and clostridial botulinum neurotoxins ( BoNTs )). The present study describes an image‐based 96‐well Meso Scale Discovery ( MSD ) electrochemiluminescence ( ECL ) assay for simultaneous detection of BTAs in dairy milk products . RESULTS The limit of detection of this ECL assay is 40 pg mL −1 for BoNT /A complex, 10 pg mL −1 for SEB and 40 000 CFU mL −1 for Bacillus anthracis spores in dairy milk products. The ECL assay was successfully applied to screen type A Clostridium botulinum outbreak strains . CONCLUSION The results of the study indicate that this ECL assay is very sensitive, rapid (<6 h) and multiplex in nature. The ECL assay has potential for use as an in vitro screening method for BTAs over other comparable immunoassays. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry