Creative Diagnostics, a leading manufacturer and supplier of antibodies, small molecule conjugates and critical assay reagents for the analysis of food, feed, environmental and toxicological samples, is excited to announce the release of its Cyclopiazonic Acid Test Reagents to help ensure food safety. These reagents are designed to support the development of sensitive and specific immunoassays for the detection of this mycotoxin in food and other matrices.

Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) is an indole trichothecene toxin produced by several species of Penicillium, mainly Penicillium camemberti, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium commune, Penicillium viridicatum and Penicillium griseofulvum. Some Aspergillus species, such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae, can also produce CPA. Several authors have identified peanuts as the main source of this toxin, but studies have also shown that the toxin is present in products such as cereals, prosciutto, cheese, fruit and other nuts.

CPA is not acutely toxic, with an oral LD50 of 30-70 mg/kg in rodents. The main target of this toxin is the nervous system and it is therefore considered a neurotoxin. Ingestion of CPA results in signs of ataxia and, in extreme cases, death due to spastic paralysis. It can also cause gastrointestinal lesions. The effect of CPA exposure on cells is due to the inhibition of calcium channels in cells. The toxin is a potent and selective inhibitor of calcium ATPase activity.

Cyclopiazonic acid appears to be toxic only at high concentrations. The symptoms associated to CPA consumption also include anorexia, dehydration, weight loss, immobility and, in the case of near death, convulsions. Few cases of mycotoxicosis with cyclopiazonic acid have been reported because the poisoning is benign, the amount of toxicity is small, and the effects may be masked by concurrent aflatoxin poisoning (some toxicity data may have been derived from the use of aflatoxin-contaminated CPA). To date, there are no national regulations on CPA levels in food products.

Consumption of CPA-contaminated foods can pose health risks and it is therefore essential to monitor food products for the presence of this mycotoxin. Creative Diagnostics’ new Cyclopiazonic Acid test reagents are highly sensitive and specific and can be used with a variety of analytical methods including ELISA and LFIA. These reagents, such as Cyclopiazonic Acid Antibodies & Antigens, Cyclopiazonic Acid ELISA Kits, and Cyclopiazonic Acid Screen Tests, are also easy to use and require minimal sample preparation.

Creative Diagnostics is committed to providing high-quality research reagents and diagnostic solutions to support the development of new and innovative mycotoxin detection technologies. To know more about the new Cyclopiazonic Acid Test Reagents and other food safety solutions, please visit https://www.creative-diagnostics.com/food-analysis/cyclopiazonic-acid.html.

About Creative Diagnostics

Creative Diagnostics is a leading manufacturer and supplier of antibodies, small molecule conjugates and critical assay reagents for the analysis of food, feed, environmental and toxicological samples. Its product portfolio covers a wide range of analytes including mycotoxins, drug residues, pesticides, contaminants, food allergens, food pathogens and vitamins. The company also assists customers in the rapid development, manufacture and commercialization of small molecule antigens, antibodies and food safety lateral flow strips for any market segment.