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ARS Scientists Safeguarding Food with a New Test Kit

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Infographic Text Certain molds make toxic chemicals called “mycotoxins” that can contaminate grain and nuts crops, like corn and peanuts. Mycotoxins affect 25% of crops worldwide, costing $1 billion annually to U.S. agriculture. ARS researchers developed cells that make antibodies that can “find and bind” mycotoxins in grain samples. Test kits now contain the antibodies. The tests can detect mycotoxins at levels of 1 part per billion. That’s equivalent to a pinch of salt in a 10-ton bag of potato