Reveal® Q+ MAX for Aflatoxin

Reveal Q MAX for Aflatoxin is a single-step lateral flow immunochromatographic assay based on a competitive immunoassay format. The extract is wicked through a reagent zone, which contains antibodies specific for aflatoxin conjugated to colloidal gold particles. If aflatoxin is present, it will be captured by the particle-antibody complex. The aflatoxin-antibody-particle complex then is wicked onto a membrane, which contains a zone of aflatoxin conjugated to a protein carrier. This zone captures any uncomplexed aflatoxin antibody, allowing the particles to concentrate and form a visible line. As the level of aflatoxin in a sample increases, free aflatoxin will complex with the antibody-gold particles. This allows less antibody-gold to be captured in the test zone. Therefore, as the concentration of aflatoxin in the sample increases, the test line density decreases. Algorithms programmed into the readers convert these line densities into a quantitative result displayed in parts per billion (ppb). The membrane also contains a control zone where an immune complex present in the reagent zone is captured by an antibody, forming a visible line. The control line will always form regardless of the presence of aflatoxin, ensuring the strip is functioning properly.