Simultaneous determination of aflatoxins, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and fumonisins in cereal-derived products by QuEChERS extraction coupled with LC-MS/MS

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry Vol. 409; no. 21; pp. 5143 - 5155
• Main Authors: Annunziata, Loredana, Stramenga, Arianna, Visciano, Pierina, Schirone, Maria, De Colli, Lorenzo, Colagrande, Maria Novella, Campana, Guido, Scortichini, Giampiero
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2017; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aflatoxins; Analytical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Contamination; Economic conditions; Edible Grain - chemistry; Extraction (Chemistry); Food Science; Fumonisins; Fumonisins - analysis; Grain products; Health aspects; Laboratory Medicine; Legislation; Liquid chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Methods; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Mycotoxins - analysis; Reference Standards; Reproducibility; Reproducibility of Results; Research Paper; T-2 Toxin - analogs & derivatives; T-2 Toxin - analysis; Tandem Mass Spectrometry - methods; Toxins; Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; Cereal-derived products; Method validation; Mycotoxins
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0462-z

A fast, easy, and cheap method for the simultaneous determination and quantification of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2), T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and fumonisins (B1, B2) in cereal-derived products was developed. This method involved a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method validation was performed by analyzing samples spiked at four levels, and the recoveries ranged from 83.6 to 102.9%, whereas the maximum values of repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility were 14.3 and 15.7% following the performance criteria set by the European legislation. The method was then applied for the analysis of 21 cereal-derived products purchased on the Italian market, which were correctly packaged and labeled as intended for human consumption. The co-occurrence of more than one mycotoxin in the analyzed samples could represent a risk for consumers, and the described method could be a valid alternative for their simultaneous detection in the framework of official control. Graphical Abstract ᅟ