The testing for the presence of patulin in fruit products requires a laboratory test, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultra violet (UV) detection, with some other confirmatory analyses needed.
A number of attempts have been made to develop a more rapid test for use by producers but none have yet successfully reached the market.
- In theory at least it should be possible to raise suitable antibodies to patulin and incorporate these into a monitoring device and produce a “dip-stick” test or something similar. This has been achieved for other mycotoxins.
- The small size of the patulin molecule has hindered the production of suitable antibodies to date and a rapid test based on immunological principles is still awaited.
- The difficulties and cost of the test mean that only the largest processors can have testing facilities on site, smaller processors rely on others to provide this service with a consequent delay in receiving results.