Next Generation of LFD Testing – Smartphone-Based Mycotoxin Analysis with RIDA((®))SMART APP

BACKGROUND: Grain mills, feed mills, ethanol plants, flour producers, but also mobile laboratory services need simple and reliable possibilities to analyze grain for mycotoxins during harvest in the field. OBJECTIVE: The RIDA(®)SMART APP is a smartphone application, which was developed together with a Lateral Flow Device as a quantitative and fast on-site/on-field tool for mycotoxin analyses. METHOD: It is a small and light device with its own power supply, very versatile, flexible and easy to use. For quantification, a lot specific calibation curve is uploaded to the RIDA(®)SMART APP via a QR code from the certificate of analysis. The software application in combination with a compatible smartphone, analyzes the LFD strip via a picture taken with a smartphone and quantifies the mycotoxin contamination within 4 second. Due to the possibility to use mobile networks or WIFI, there are no difficulties in the organization of the collected results. Currently, nine different android-based smartphones from various manufacturers are compatible with the RIDA(®)SMART APP. RESULTS: In combination with one of the compatible smartphones, the RIDA(®)SMART APP is able to generate results with a coefficient of variation CV ≤ 13%, even at highly varying lighting conditions. The recovery of certified reference corn samples, previously analyzed with HPLC or LC-MS/MS, shows a mean value between 91% - 119%. CONCLUSION: The RIDA(®)SMART APP is highly suitable for an inexpensive, quick and accurate quantitative measurement of mycotoxins in agricultural products (e.g. aflatoxins in corn). HIGHLIGHTS: To our best knowledge, the RIDA(®)SMART APP is the only smartphone-based method for quantitative mycotoxin analysis worldwide combined with a broader measuring range as most usual lateral flow analyzers.