Table 3.
List of flour samples, before and after contamination, with details concerning the species of contaminants and their concentrations (For this study we considered only species from Europe) and PCR and ELISA test results. Successful PCR amplification is indicated by “x”, failure is indicated by “-”. Concerning PCR analysis, matK is specific for Brassicaceae, ITS2 for Sinapis alba, and B for Brassica nigra and Brassica juncea. ELISA test is specific for S2 albumin (i.e., Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra, and Sinapis alba) with a cross-reactivity approximately 67% with Brassica napus.
| Samples ID | Herbal Contamination | Herbal Concentration | matK | ITS2 | B | ELISA Results | ELISA Results mg/kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flour uncontaminated | / | / | - | - | - | - | 1.4 |
| Flour_01_A | Brassica nigra, Brassica juncea, Sinapis alba | 0.1% | x | x | x | x | 610 |
| Flour_01_B | Brassica nigra, Brassica juncea, Sinapis alba, Brassica napus | 0.1% | x | x | x | x | 1300 |
| Flour_01_C | Brassica napus | 0.1% | x | - | - | x | 1200 |
| Flour_002_A | Brassica nigra, Brassica juncea, Sinapis alba | 0.002% | x | x | x | x | 43 |
| Flour_002_B | Brassica juncea, Sinapis alba, Brassica napus | 0.002% | x | x | x | x | 26 |
| Flour_002_C | Brassica napus | 0.002% | x | - | - | x | 49 |
ELISA: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent; PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction