The European Commission have published a new COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION on the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products (2013/165/EU). This new document recommends maximum levels for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in various food and feed matrices. Thus, it is essential to simultaneously detect both, T-2 and HT-2 toxin, following this recommendation.

Reacting quickly, Romer Labs® has developed a new AgraQuant® ELISA test kit for T2 & HT2-toxin which has high cross reactivity between both toxins (>90%). Calibrants used in this test kit are from 25 to 500 ppb sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxin, and hence, are in line with the requirements set in the EC document 2013/165/EU.

In addition, Romer Labs® offers MycoSep® and StarlineT immunoaffinity cleanup columns together with BiopureT reference materials for a complete T-2 and HT-2 toxin reference testing solution. A state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS application, including BiopureT 13C isotope labeled internal standards and a MycoSpinT cleanup, was developed by Romer Labs® too, following the current trend of multi-mycotoxin testing.

About T-2 and HT-2 toxins: T-2 and HT-2 toxins are mycotoxins produced by various Fusarium species. They are found in grains and grain milling products, notably in oats and oat products. Grains and grain-based foods, in particular bread, fine bakery wares, grain milling products, and breakfast cereals, make up the majority of foods through which humans have exposure to these types of mycotoxins, which have immuno-suppressive effects in both humans and animals. Pigs are amongst the most sensitive animals towards the effects of T-2 toxin.