Other applications

Rapid detection of mold in grain at unloading stations 
Mycometer has in collaboration with DLG amba (Feedings Stuff Company, Denmark) conducted a feasibility study to evaluate an adaptation of the Mycometer®-test for use as a rapid method to detect and quantify mold in Barley.
The development of a Standard Operating Procedure allowed the detection and quantification of mold in grain in less than 6 minutes. The results exhibited an excellent linear correlation to fungal biomass, as measured by the ergosterol content (r2=0,9787) a commonly used parameter, in scientific studies, to estimate fungal biomass in various environments. In addition the content of the common mycotoxins deoxylivalenol (DON) and Zearalenon was determined in the barley samples. The risk of finding excessive levels of mycotoxins in grain increases with increased levels of fungal biomass.
Based on the data from the study, preliminary cut-off limits were established, which allowed the test results to be divided into three result categories:

1. OK      Acceptable level of fungal biomass.
2. Check Increased risk for excessive levels of mycotoxin - Specific tests for mycotoxin content required.
3. Reject Unacceptable level of mold in grain - high risk for excessive levels of mycotoxins.

Figure 2.  Scatterplot of results obtained with the Mycometer-test adaptation and Ergosterol content in 45 barley samples. One outlier was removed.