Method
Levels of deoxynivalenol (DON), also referred to as vomitoxin, are measured in the marketing channels with commercially available test kits. Test kits are based on immunochemical technology. GIPSA tests and approves mycotoxin test kits, including DON, for use in the U.S. official inspection system. These kits must meet GIPSA accuracy and precision requirements when compared to HPLC reference methods in order to be approved.

General
1. Prepare sample by weighing a portion sample of ground wheat and mixing the ground wheat sample with distilled water and shake.

2. Dilute the mixture as directed by the manufacturer's directions.

3. Place test strip in incubator, peel back the tape, and add a portion of the diluted solution.

4. Close the lid of the incubator and wait.

5. Evaluate the results according to the manufacturer's directions.

Results
• The lateral flow strips used in test kits provide a yes or no answer to whether the sample tested contains DON above a certain amount.

• Usually within 5 to 15 minutes the results can be read.

• All tests include an internal procedural control line that is used to validate the test result.

• The appearance of two lines indicates a positive result, while a negative test produces only one line.


Why is this important?
DON is a toxin produced by fusarium fungi. DON occurs in feed grains when grown under certain climatic conditions. Illnesses have been observed in livestock that have consumed feed grains containing high levels of DON concentrations.