The effect of surfactants (two cationic, one anionic and three non-ionic) at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 % concentrations on aflatoxin production, ergosterol content and sugar consumption by Aspergillus parasiticus (NRRL 2999) in YES liquid culture medium is reported. At 0.01% concentration, the cationic surfactants, cetyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (CDAB) and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), and the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), completely inhibited spore germination, while DTAB also inhibited the production of ergosterol and toxin (p < 0.05). At a concentration of 0.001%, CDAB was found to enhance toxin production, while SDS was found to inhibit it when compared with other surfactants. Non-ionic surfactants, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween-20), polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij-35) and ethoxylated p-tert-octylphenol (Triton X-100) delayed the spore germination up to day 5 at all concentrations and inhibited toxin and ergosterol production at 0.001% concentration. The affect was found to be dose-dependent from 0.001% to 1%, for Triton X-100 only. Positive correlation between ergosterol content and toxin production in the presence of different surfactants at various time periods (3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 days) was found. Tween-20 was most effective in inhibiting toxin production on day 7, when aflatoxin production was found to be maximal in control group. Sugar consumption was directly proportional to the ergosterol content, showing a significant correlation with aflatoxin production.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for azadirachtin (aza), a biopesticide from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss). The immunogen was synthesized by epoxidation using the furan ring in the aza molecule. Rabbits were immunized with either bovine serum albumin (BSA)-azadirachtin or ovalbumin (OA)-azadirachtin conjugate. Evaluation of the antisera by antibody capture assay showed that the antibody titer of antisera raised against OA-aza was 1:30 000. An indirect competitive ELISA was developed with BSA-azadirachtin as coating antigen and aza-specific antibodies raised against OA-aza immunogen. The immunoassay showed an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 75 ppb, with a range of detection from 0.5 to 1000 ppb for azadirachtin [based on regression analysis, y = 85.87 (−18.89x); r2 = −0.97]. Cross-reactivity of the antibodies with 2 aza- derivatives (22,23-dihydro-23β-methoxy azadirachtin and 3-tigloylazadirachtol) was 33 and 29%, respectively. The indirect competitive ELISA was validated and evaluated by quantitating aza in spiked agricultural commodities and from neem formulations. Azadirachtin was spiked into 5 different agricultural commodities: tomato, brinjal, coffee, tea, and cotton seed at 500 and 1000 ppb and recovered at 62–100%. In samples drawn from 6 lots, the aza content in neem-seed kernels ranged from 0.1 to 0.15%; in commercial neem formulations the content ranged from 200 to 2000 ppm. The method developed may be applied to environmental monitoring of aza and quality assurance studies of aza-based commercial formulations.