Develop rapid methods of detecting bioterrorism agents in foods, evaluate toxin stability in foods, and characterize the toxicity of food-borne chemical and biochemical contaminants.In 2009, NCTR scientists developed a novel and quantitative test method which can detect very small amounts of the naturally occurring plant toxins (ricin and abrin) and shiga-like toxins produced by some E. coli strains. This sensitive test method uses real-time technology which yields faster detection results. These toxins have been designated as Category B Select Agents by HHS because of their potential exploitation by bioterrorists to poison the food supply chain. Studies are being conducted to increase the sensitivity and expand the reliability of the test method in multiple food types.This research will help FDA to develop methods to assess and manage risks associated with food products that are adulterated, intentionally contaminated, or otherwise found to be detrimental to human health.COMPLETEDON TRACK<b>Accomplishment:</b> Our studies showed that in some applications,such as ricin in dried infant formula, sodium hypochlorite wasmore potent than peracetic acid for destroying toxin epitopesdetectable by ELISA and for inactivating the biological activityof these toxins. We found that chlorinated alkaline detergentwas the most effective industrial agent for destroying toxinepitopes. Moreover, peroxyacetic acid-based sanitizer was lesseffective than chlorinated alkaline detergent for destroying toxinepitopes, but it was much more effective than phosphoric acidbaseddetergent. Overall, we found that sodium hypochloriteand hypochlorite-containing products were most effective forinactivating protein toxins in dried food residues on foodcontact surfaces. To view this full report, please visit the following website: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/jf301601vmaina. Complete sample analyses for chemical inactivation of ricin in 3 foods by 2 chemical agents4/30/2010<i>(1/30/2011) </i><i>(4/1/2011)</i>Completed4/1/2011mainb. Complete sample analyses for inactivation of arin in 3 foods by 2 chemical agents4/30/2010<i>(1/30/2011) </i><i>(4/1/2011)</i>Completed4/1/2011mainc. Assess research findings5/1/2011Completed5/1/2011maind. Develop draft report6/1/2011Completed5/27/2011maine. Submit draft report to National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD)5/27/2011Completed5/27/2011mainf. Submit Final Report7/30/2011Completed4/13/2012maing. Publish results9/30/2011Completed5/30/2012ON TRACKON TRACKmaina. Complete evaluation of allele-competitive blocker PCR method (1)5/31/2010Completed5/15/2010mainb. Complete evaluation of alternative substrates for rapid detection of ricin, abrin, and shiga-like toxins12/31/2010Completed3/15/2011mainc. Compare 3 methods for rapid detection of shiga-like toxin activity in fruit juice6/1/2011Completed6/1/2011maind. Compare 3 methods for rapid detection of shiga-like toxin activity in milk9/1/2011<i>(TBD)</i>On Trackmaine. Measure the rate for the thermal inactivation of shiga-like toxin 1, produced by <i> E. coli O157:H7</i>, in whole milk9/30/2011<i>(TBD)</i>Not Yet Startedmainf. Compare 3 methods for rapid detection of shiga-like toxin activity in spinach12/1/2011<i>(TBD)</i>Not Yet Startedmaing. Complete nuclease interference studies with alternative substratesTBDNot Yet Startedmainh. Assess research findingsTBDNot Yet Startedmaini. Develop draft ReportTBDNot Yet Startedmainj. Obtain NCTR Director approval on draft report via the document tracking systemTBDNot Yet Startedmaink. Publish results and prepare Final ReportTBDNot Yet Startedmainl. Submit Final ReportTBDNot Yet Started(1) Allele-competitive blocker PCR method is a method to detect rare forms of a gene, to enhance sensitivity of a PCR-based enzyme assay method that detects damaged ribosomal RNA creacted by the action of ricin, abrin, and shiga-like toxins, naturally occurring toxins that could be used in bioterrorism attacks.PCRpolymerase chain reactionhttp://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/track/ucm203296.htmFDA-TRACK NCTR Dashboardhttp://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/track/ucm252974.htmFDA-TRACK Research Glossary਍††਍਍਍਍਍਍਍