Method for toxin detection

A method for detecting a toxin that comprises:

• providing a first and second identical fluid fermentative yeast culture comprising a yeast, a yeast extract, a carbohydrate carbon source and water;
• bubbling carbon dioxide-free air with a known identical and constant composition as a carrier gas though each of said yeast cultures, in at least one stream of bubbles for each yeast culture, at an identical constant rate and in an identical uniform manner at a constant temperature from about 26.degree. to about 36.degree. C., said bubbles having a substantially uniform diameter from about 0.5 to about 5 percent of the diameter of said yeast culture;
• monitoring said carrier gas after exiting from each of said yeast cultures for the rate of release of carbon dioxide from said yeast cultures, said rate of release being substantially equal for both yeast cultures;
• adding a test sample suspected of containing a toxin to said first yeast sample;
• continuing to monitor each carrier gas for the rate of release of said carbon dioxide, a decrease in the release rate for said carbon dioxide form said first yeast culture relative to the release rate for said second yeast culture indicating the presence of said toxin in said yeast sample.