Catalytic NBP Spot Test for the Detection of Trichothecene Mycotoxin T-2

Abstract

Thorium(IV)salts were found to act as catalysts for the alkylation of 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine by T-2 toxin. Using thorium(IV)chloride as the catalyst, a detection procedure for T-2 toxin was developed that required a heating step consisting of only 2 minutes at 90°C. The limit of detection of T-2 toxin with this procedure was found to be 1 microgram.