Comparison of gas chromatography electron capture and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for deoxynivalenol in milled fractions of naturally contaminated wheat

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for deoxynivalenol was compared with a gas chromatography-electron capture assay to determine deoxynivalenol levels in milled fractions of wheat. The milling provided eight fractions: first, second, and third break flours; first, second, and third reduction flours; brans; and shorts. The difference between levels of deoxynivalenol quantitated by ELISA or gas chromatography did not depend significantly on the wheat samples or milled wheat fractions. For none of the fractions or samples did the differences differ significantly (P = 0.05) from zero. Based on these comparative tests, ELISAs for deoxynivalenol in milled wheat fractions should provide reliable results rapidly and economically in a commercial setting.