Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of T-2 toxin.

A microtest plate enzyme immunoassay has been developed for the detection of T-2 toxin. Haptenic T-2 hemisuccinate was immobilized on polystyrene surfaces coated with poly(D-lysine). rabbit antisera against T-2 toxin were added. The binding of the first antibody was detected by addition of an anti-rabbit-immunoglobulin/peroxidase conjugate. After conversion of the substrate 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzothiazole-6-sulfonate)/H2O2, the absorbance at 414 nm was monitored. Presence of free T-2 toxin during the first incubation step led to a concentration-dependent lowering of absorbance. The lower detection limit was at about 2 pg per assay. The cross reactivity of T-2 toxin antiserum with other trichothecenes, as determined by ELISA, is weaker than that reported by other authors using a radio-immunoassay technique.