2.3.3. Linearity

Expected and observed AFB1 concentration values of the prepared standards are shown in Table 6. There was significant (*p* < 0.01) negative correlation between ODs and measured aflatoxin levels of the prepared standards (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = −0.932). The expected and observed aflatoxin levels of the standards had a significant (*p* < 0.01) positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.961). The linear response range of the assay is 0.02–0.4 ng/mL, beyond which linearity was lost (Table 6). These results and curve-fitting characteristics (Figure 1) indicate that the modified sample preparation conditions did not affect the assay range. Values of coefficients of correlation and determination (Section 2.2) showed good linearity of measured inhibition and AFB1 concentration in the range of 0.02–0.4 ng/mL.
