A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in food and feed using monolithic column and positive confirmation by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

The development of a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography fluorescence method for the determination of the mycotoxins fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) by using silica-based monolithic column is described. The samples were first extracted using acetonitrile:water (50:50, v/v) and purified by using a C(18) solid phase extraction-based clean-up column. Then, pre-column derivatization for the analyte using ortho-phthaldialdehyde in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol was carried out. The developed method involved optimization of mobile phase composition using methanol and phosphate buffer, injection volume, temperature and flow rate. The liquid chromatographic separation was performed using a reversed phase Chromolith(?) RP-18e column (100 mm × 4.6 mm) at 30 °C and eluted with a mobile phase of a mixture of methanol and phosphate buffer pH 3.35 (78:22, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1). The fumonisins separation was achieved in about 4 min, compared to approximately 20 min by using a C(18) particle-packed column. The fluorescence excitation and emission were at 335 nm and 440 nm, respectively. The limits of detections were 0.01-0.04 μg g(-1) fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2), respectively. Good recoveries were found for spiked samples (0.1, 0.5, 1.5 μg g(-1) fumonisins B(1) and B(2)), ranging from 84.0 to 106.0% for fumonisin B(1) and from 81.0 to 103.0% for fumonisin B(2). Fifty-three samples were analyzed including 39 food and feeds and 14 inoculated corn and rice. Results show that 12.8% of the food and feed samples were contaminated with fumonisin B(1) (range, 0.01-0.51 μg g(-1)) and fumonisin B(2) (0.05 μg g(-1)). The total fumonisins in these samples however, do not exceed the legal limits established by the European Union of 0.8 μg g(-1). Of the 14 inoculated samples, 57.1% contained fumonisin B(1) (0.16-41.0 μg g(-1)) and fumonisin B(2) (range, 0.22-50.0 μg g(-1)). Positive confirmation of selected samples was carried out using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, using triple quadrupole analyzer and operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode.     

Evaluation of Fumonitest Immunoaffinity Columns

Abstract

A method for the determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn was developed. The method involves sample extraction with methanol:water (80:20) and the use of a commercially available Fumonitest column for sample cleanup. The capacity, selectivity, column-to-column and lot-to-lot reproducibility of the Fumonitest columns were evaluated. The total capacity of the column was found to be 1.2 μg fumonisin. Both fumonisins B1 and B2 had an equal affinity toward the Fumonitest column, with the sample matrix demonstrating little effect on the column performance. The maximum sample size was 0.5 g for samples containing total fumonisins of less than 2 ppm. After elution from the immunoaffinity column, fumonisins B1 and B2 were reacted with naphthalene-2, 3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) to produce a highly fluorescent derivative, 1-cyano-2-alkyl-benz[f]isoindole (CBI). The derivatives were then separated from the sample matrix on a reverse phase C-18 column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water:acetic acid (55:45:1) Average recoveries of fumonisins B1 and B2 from corn samples spiked at a level of 1000 ng (500ng B1 + 500ng B2)/g were 85.4 and 87.1%, respectively. The detection limit for B1 and B2 was estimated to be 10 and 4 ppb, respectively. The coefficient of variations for fumonisins B1 and B2 were determined to be 10.2% and 10.6%, respectively.     

Development of a new analytical method for the determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in food products based on high performance liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection with post-column derivatization

A sensitive and selective analytical method was developed for the quantitative determination of fumonisins B(1) and B(2) in maize-based foods for direct human consumption. The method, based on high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection, presents a rapid and automated on-line post-column derivatization, performed with o-phtalaldehyde and N,N-dimethyl-2-mercaptoethylamine. Several factors affecting the separation and detection of fumonisins were investigated, including mobile phase composition, column features, derivatization agent flow-rate and both the excitation and the emission wavelengths. Optimal fluorescence detection was obtained by using a lambda(exc) of 343 nm and a lambda(em) of 445 nm. Under the optimized experimental conditions, a complete separation of fumonisins was obtained in less than 13 min by using a C(18) column and a gradient elution at 0.8 mL/min with methanol and 0.1M phosphate buffer at pH 3.15. The limits of detection for FB(1) and FB(2) were 4 and 5 microg/L corresponding to 5 and 6 microg/kg in matrix. Each fumonisin was determined in the range 40-320 microg/L that correspond to 50-400 microg/kg in matrix. The necessary requirements for accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity were fulfilled and recovery values ranged from 87 to 94% for FB(1) and from 70 to 75% for FB(2) in cornflake samples at three fortification levels in the range 100-300 microg/kg. The potential of this method, combined with a simple clean-up procedure, was assessed by the measurements of FB(1) and FB(2) in maize-based products, such as maize flour, "polenta", tortillas and cookies.     

Determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn-based foods for infants and young children by LC with immunoaffinity column cleanup: interlaboratory validation study

A liquid chromatographic method for the determination of fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in corn-based foods for infants and young children was subjected to an interlaboratory validation study involving 11 laboratories. Five blind duplicate sample pairs of each matrix were analyzed to establish the accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of the method. Mass fractions in the baby food samples ranged from 89.1 to 384.4 microg/kg FB1 and from 22.5 to 73.6 microg/kg FB2. The method involved a warm extraction with citrate phosphate buffer-methanol-acetonitrile (50 + 25 + 25, v/v/v), a cleanup through an immunoaffinity column, and an end-determination of fumonisins by LC after automated precolumn derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde reagent. RSDs for within-laboratory repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 6.8 to 23.5% for FB1 and 7.6 to 22.9% for FB2. RSDs for between-laboratory reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 15.4 to 26.2% for FB1 and 21.6 to 36.3% for FB2. Mean FB1 recoveries from baby foods spiked at 100.0 and 250.0 microg/kg were 89 and 96%, respectively; for FB2 spiked foods at 25.0 and 62.5 microg/kg recoveries were 90 and 85%, respectively. HorRat values ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 for FB1, whereas for FB2 they ranged from 0.9 to 1.4 when calculated according to Horwitz, and from 1.0 to 1.7 when calculated according to Thompson, indicating an acceptable among-laboratory precision for all matrixes (HorRat values <2).     

Difficulties in fumonisin determination: the issue of hidden fumonisins

In this paper, the results obtained by five independent methods for the quantification of fumonisins B₁, B₂, and B₃ in raw maize are reported. Five naturally contaminated maize samples and a reference material were analyzed in three different laboratories. Although each method was validated and common calibrants were used, a poor agreement about fumonisin contamination levels was obtained. In order to investigate the interactions among analyte and matrix leading to this lack of consistency, the occurrence of fumonisin derivatives was checked. Significant amounts of hidden fumonisins were detected for all the considered samples. Furthermore, the application of an in vitro digestion protocol to raw maize allowed for a higher recovery of native fumonisins, suggesting that the interaction occurring among analytes and matrix macromolecules is associative rather than covalent. Depending on the analytical method as well as the maize sample, only 37–68% of the total fumonisin concentrations were found to be extractable from the samples. These results are particularly impressive and significant in the case of the certified reference material, underlying the actual difficulties in ascertaining the trueness of a method for fumonisin determination, opening thus an important issue for risk assessment.     

Robotic automated clean-up for detection of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn and corn-based feed by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system with fluorescence detection and an automated on-line solid-phase extraction procedure for fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn and corn-based products is described. Different amounts of strong anion-exchange, C18 and end-capped C18 (C(18 ec)) silicas were tested for sample clean-up. Various HPLC parameters were analyzed. The best methodology was found to be extraction with acetonitrile-water and clean up on C(18 ec) disposable extraction cartridges. The system has the advantage of running in an unattended mode of operation and allows processing of 40 samples without system refuel, performing clean-up, o-phthaldialdehyde derivatization, injection and fumonisin detection by fluorescence detection linked to a computer integrator for automated data processing. Recoveries were performed with corn and corn-based feed samples (n=3) spiked with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10 microg/g. Average recoveries for corn and corn-based feed were, respectively, 92.6 and 88.3% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 5.04 and 6.22%, for fumonisin B1 and 91.2 and 89.0% with RSDs of 5.84 and 7.88% for fumonisin B2. Detection limits (S/N=3) for corn and corn-based feed were approximately 0.03 microg/g for fumonisin B1 and 0.05 microg/g for fumonisin B2     

Evaluating the performance of sampling plans to detect fumonisin B1 in maize lots marketed in Nigeria

Fumonisins are toxic and carcinogenic compounds produced by fungi that can be readily found in maize. The establishment of maximum limits for fumonisins requires the development of scientifically based sampling plans to detect fumonisin in maize. As part of an International Atomic Energy Agency effort to assist developing countries to control mycotoxin contamination, a study was conducted to design sampling plans to detect fumonisin in maize produced and marketed in Nigeria. Eighty-six maize lots were sampled according to an experimental protocol in which an average of 17 test samples, 100 g each, were taken from each lot and analyzed for fumonisin B1 by using liquid chromatography. The total variability associated with the fumonisin test procedure was measured for each lot. Regression equations were developed to predict the total variance as a function of fumonisin concentration. The observed fumonisin distribution among the replicated-sample test results was compared with several theoretical distributions, and the negative binomial distribution was selected to model the fumonisin distribution among test results. A computer model was developed by using the variance and distribution information to predict the performance of sampling plan designs to detect fumonisin in maize shipments. The performance of several sampling plan designs was evaluated to demonstrate how to manipulate sample size and accept/reject limits to reduce misclassification of maize lots.     

Determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in Portuguese maize and maize-based samples by HPLC with fluorescence detection

Fumonisins B₁ (FB₁) and fumonisin B₂ (FB₂) are the main members of a family of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium proliferatum, and other fungi species of the section Liseola. The present work shows the results of comparative studies using two different procedures for the analysis of fumonisins in maize and maize-based samples. The studied analytical methods involve extraction with methanol/water, dilution with PBS, and clean-up through immunoaffinity columns. Two reagents (o-phthaldialdehyde and naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde) were studied for formation of fluorescent derivatives. The separation and identification were carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The optimized method for analysis of fumonisins in maize involved extraction with methanol/water (80:20), clean-up with an immunoaffinity column, and derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA). The limit of detection was 20 μg kg⁻¹ for FB₁ and 15 μg kg⁻¹ for FB₂. Recoveries of FB₁ and FB₂ ranged from 79% to 99.6% for maize fortified at 150 μg kg⁻¹ and 200 μg kg⁻¹, respectively, with within-day RSDs of 3.0 and 2.7%. The proposed method was applied to 31 samples, and the presence of fumonisins was found in 14 samples at concentrations ranging from 113 to 2,026 μg kg⁻¹. The estimated daily intake of fumonisins was 0.14 μg kg⁻¹ body weight per day.     

Effect of temperature and solvent composition on extraction of fumonisins B1 and B2 from corn products

Fumonisins B1 and B2 were extracted from naturally contaminated corn products by using different extraction solvent compositions (methanol-water, acetonitrile-methanol-water, ethanol-water, and 100% water) and a range of temperatures from ambient to 150 degrees C. Ground samples of several corn products and 1 rice sample were mixed with an adsorbent material (Hydromatrix), and the fumonisins were extracted in 2 sequential 5 min static extractions at various temperatures. The combined extracts were cleaned up and analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after o-phthaldialdehyde-mercaptoethanol derivatization. The results showed a clear influence of temperature and solvent composition on recovery of fumonisins from some matrixes. With acetonitrile-methanol-water (1 + 1 + 2) the quantity of fumonisins extracted from naturally contaminated taco shells almost tripled in going from 23 degrees to 80 degrees C, and increased by another 30% when ethanol-water (3 + 7) was used as extraction solvent at 80 degrees C. Similar results were obtained with nacho chips. These effects were less pronounced with cornmeal, and small differences due to temperature and solvent composition were observed for corn flakes and rice. The ethanol-water extraction solvent combinations were specifically evaluated in an effort to use the cheapest, least toxic, and most environmentally friendly solvents for organic residue analysis. At 80 degrees C, ethanol-water combinations performed equally or better than methanol-water (8 + 2) or acetonitrile-methanol-water (1 + 1 + 2), combinations which are commonly used for fumonisin extractions. Even 100% water was successful for extracting fumonisins from the products, except for rice. However, increased amounts of water created technical problems and required an increased amount of Hydromatrix in the samples prior to extraction.     

European intercomparison study for the determination of fumonisins in maize

Fumonisins are mycotoxins occurring largely in maize and maize products, which cause animal diseases, such as equine leukoencephalomalacia and porcine pulmonary edema, and may also induce liver cancer on experimental rats. The European Commission Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT, formerly BCR) Programme, has sponsored a project to improve analytical methodologies for the determination of the two major fumonisins (fumonisin B1 and fumonisin B2) in maize materials. The project involved the following steps: i) the preparation of a blank and a maize material contaminated with fumonisins Bl and B2; ii) a preliminary study of the -irradiation conditions for sterilization; iii) homogeneity and stability studies of the maize materials; iv) an intercomparison study for fumonisins analysis in the above materials with the involvement of 24 European laboratories, most of which have national or international responsibilities for foodstuff and/or feedstuff quality control. Results of the intercomparison study are presented together with the homogeneity and stability data relevant to the maize materials.     

Analysis of fumonisins B(1), B(2) and B(3) in corn-based baby food by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable method using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry with a triple quadrupole (QqQ) analyzer has been developed for the analysis of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), fumonisin B(2) (FB(2)) and fumonisin B(3) (FB(3)) in corn-based baby foods. Influence of several extraction parameters that affect PLE efficiency such as temperature, pressure, solvent extraction, number of cycles and dispersant/clean-up agents were studied. The selected PLE operating method was: 3g of sample was packed into 11 ml stainless-steel cell and fumonisins were extracted with methanol at 40 degrees C, 34 atm in one cycle of 5 min at 60% flush. The analytes were ionized in ESI operating with positive ion mode and identified by selecting two monitoring transitions, permitting quantification and confirmation in a single injection. Recoveries ranged from 68% to 83% at fortification levels of 200 microg kg(-1) with relative standard deviation (RSD) from 4% to 12%. The limits of quantification were from 2 microg kg(-1) for FB(1) and FB(2), and 5 microg kg(-1) for FB(3), which are below the maximum residue level established by the European Union legislation in infant formulas. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of twenty seven samples of baby food products collected from different markets, and one positive sample with a content of 15.9 microg kg(-1) for FB(1), 9.2 microg kg(-1)for FB(2) and 5.8 microg kg(-1) for FB(3) was obtained. Given the simplicity and potential of the proposed procedure, its application for safety control is recommended.     

Determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with immunoaffinity column cleanup: single-laboratory method validation

A single-laboratory method validation was conducted to establish the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column cleanup procedure followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LCIMS) for the determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 (FBI + FB2) in corn. The test portion is extracted with acetonitrile-methanol-water (25 + 25 + 50). The extract is filtered, diluted with phosphate-buffered saline solution, and applied to an immunoaffinity column. FB1 + FB2 are removed with methanol and directly determined by reversed-phase LC with MS detection using selected-ion monitoring of 2 characteristic ions in each case. Test portions of blank corn samples were spiked with a mixture of FB1 + FB2 to give total levels of 200 and 500 ng/g, respectively. Recoveries of both FB1 and FB2 from spiked samples averaged 90.4-101%. Based on results for spiked raw corn (triplicates at 2 levels), the relative standard deviation for repeatability ranged from 2.8 to 7.1%. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated by analysis of Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) test material. The method was also applied to a small survey of processed corn products such as corn chips, cornflakes, and popcorn.     

Development and application of a quantitative lateral flow immunoassay for fumonisins in maize

A quantitative lateral flow immunoassay for measuring fumonisins in maize was developed. Strip preparation and assay parameters were optimized to obtain a dipstick usable outside the laboratory with different samples, and which shows performance comparable with that of other screening methods, as confirmed by the intra- and the inter-day precision of data (RSD 5-16%). Quantification was obtained by an external calibration curve, which can be stored and used for measurements made with strips of the same batch in different days and at varying temperatures (22-37°C). Limit of detection (120 μgL(-1)) and dynamic range (200-5000 μgL(-1)) allow the direct assessment of fumonisin contamination at all levels of regulatory relevance. Twenty-seven maize samples were analyzed after a simple sample preparation which avoids the use of organic solvent. Linear correlation was observed (y=1.071x-0.2, r(2)=0.990) when data was compared with that obtained through a reference LC-MS/MS method, across a wide range of fumonisin contamination.     

Evaluation of silica- and sepharose-based immunoaffinity sorbents for sample cleanup in determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn products

Anti-fumonisin B1 polyclonal antibodies were isolated from the serum of rabbits, immobilized onto the surface of glutaraldehyde-activated silica or Sepharose CL-4B particles, and placed into empty small plastic solid-phase extraction cartridges. The immobilized antibodies were evaluated for their ability to retain fumonisin B1 and fumonisin B2. Cartridge capacity and elution conditions were determined, and the results were compared to those obtained with a commercially available cartridge. The cartridges, which were tested for their effectiveness to isolate the fumonisins from extracts of corn flour and nacho chips, detected fumonisins down to levels of about 20 ng/g. However, additional cleanup was required for detection at lower concentrations. With the use of a strong anion-exchange cartridge as a preliminary cleanup before immunoaffinity chromatography, the detection limit reached 2-5 ng/g in the products tested. The silica sorbent material exhibited strong interactions with the fumonisins, requiring acidified ethanol-water mixtures for elution and resulting in an additional degree of selectivity in isolating fumonisins from sample extracts. The silica-based immunoaffinity cartridges were successfully reused more than 10 times; the Sepharose-based cartridges were less robust. Liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used after prechromatographic derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde-mercaptoethanol.     

Minimization of carryover for high‐throughput liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis of 14 mycotoxins in corn grits

A method for the simultaneous analysis of 14 mycotoxins with the minimization of carryover was developed. Our verification experiments suggested that the carryover occurred due to the chelation of fumonisins with the metal. To wash the fumonisins from the metal, the inner surface of the injection needle was rinsed with 10 mM trisodium citrate and 1% formic acid in water/methanol/acetonitrile/isopropanol after each injection, and the analysis was performed on a metal‐free Mastro C18 column. This approach remarkably minimized the carryover of fumonisins. Fourteen mycotoxins in samples were extracted with 2% acetic acid in water/acetonitrile and a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction kit, purified on a MultiSep 229 Ochra, and then quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Determinations performed using this method produced a linearity greater than 0.99 and recoveries ranging from 72.6 to 117.4%, with good intraday precision from 4.0 to 12.4%, and interday precision from 6.5 to 17.0%. The limits of detection ranged from 0.01 to 0.71 μg/kg, demonstrating that a highly sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of mycotoxins over a wide range of concentrations was achieved with minimal carryover. When 12 samples of commercially available corn grits were analyzed with this method, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, fumonisin B3, and zearalenone were present most frequently.     

Determination of 16 Mycotoxins in Maize by Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of sterigmatocystin, verruculogen, enniatin A, fusarenon-X, fumonisins B1, B2, B3, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 5-acetyldeoxynivalenol, and zearalenone. The mycotoxins were extracted and cleaned up using a multitoxin column, separated on a C18 column, and then detected on a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The limits of detection and quantification ranged within 0.2–2?µg/kg and 1–10?µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 70.8 to 118.4%, with relative standard deviations below 15%. The method was used to analyze 80 samples obtained from Shandong Province in China. Fifty-eight samples were contaminated with 10 mycotoxins at concentrations ranging from 1.4 to 6566.1?µg/kg. Some samples exceeded the maximum limits in China and in European regulations for mycotoxins in unprocessed maize.     

Rapid determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with ultrasonic extraction

A simple, sensitive, and reliable analytical method is developed for the rapid determination of fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) in corn by high-performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS). Fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) are extracted from corn with methanol-water (3:1, v/v) by means of ultrasonic extraction, and directly injected into an LC-MS-MS system after centrifugation. Fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) are separated on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C(18) column with a solution of methanol-water-formic acid as the mobile phase. The method is validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, and stability. Moreover, the method was applied to real samples and demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of fumonisin B(1) and fumonisin B(2) in corn. The total time required for the analysis of one sample was ~30 min.     

柱后衍生-高效液相色谱法测定玉米中伏马菌素B1和B2

建立了邻苯二甲醛(OPA)柱后衍生-高效液相色谱测定玉米中伏马菌素B1和B2(FB1和FB2)的方法。采用ZORBAX SB-C18色谱柱,以0.1 mol/L磷酸二氢钠溶液(pH 3.3)-甲醇为流动相,梯度洗脱。流动相流速为0.8 mL/min,柱温40 ℃;衍生剂的流速为0.4 mL/min,衍生温度为室温。实验对衍生剂缓冲液的pH、衍生剂的浓度和流速、激发和发射波长等重要条件进行了优化。结果表明,衍生剂的pH在10.5、OPA的质量浓度为2 g/L、流速为0.4 mL/min、激发波长335 nm、发射波长440 nm时测定效果良好,FB1、FB2在0.2～20 mg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数大于0.999; FB1和FB2的检出限均为0.02 mg/kg;在0.1～ 4.0 mg/kg范围内,3个添加水平的平均回收率为82.5%～89.8%。该方法精确、简单、快速,适合玉米中FB1和FB2的测定。     

A rapid lateral flow test for the determination of total type B fumonisins in maize

A one-step lateral flow test was developed for the quantitative determination of total type B fumonisins in maize with a test range up to 4,000 μg/kg and a limit of detection of 199 μg/kg. The test presented gives a result within 4 min, including 1 min strip drying, and does not require any sample cleanup steps after a previous 3-min sample extraction. Quantitative readout with a compact photometric strip reader will also indicate the best suited measurement range when needed. The test is based on a competitive immunoassay format where a ready-to-use antibody–colloidal gold particle complex is mixed with 50 μL sample extract in a microwell and used as a signal reagent. The test strip is inserted into the well and the mixed content migrates onto the strip, which contains a test zone and a control zone. Mycotoxin–protein conjugate coated on the test zone captures free signal reagent, and colored particles concentrate, forming a visible line. The intensity of the test line is dependent on the total fumonisin concentration in the sample. Naturally contaminated quality-control maize material was used for matrix-matched calibration of photometric readout. The test presented is both quantitative and rapid, with no cross-reactivity to other mycotoxins. The applicability of the lateral flow test was shown by the screening of 23 naturally contaminated maize samples. Relative standard deviations ranged from 1.7 to 32.9%.     

Simultaneous determination of fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 contaminants in maize by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The present work developed an analytical method for simultaneous determination of fumonisins B(1), B(2) and B(3) residues in maize by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) under the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, and especially focused on the optimization of extraction, clean-up, UHPLC separation and MS/MS parameters. The method involves addition of fumonisins isotope internal standards, extraction with a mixture of acetonitrile and water and clean-up with solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges before UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. A single-laboratory method validation was conducted by testing three different spiking levels for repeatability and recovery according to International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) guidelines. The LOQ of FB(1), FB(2) and FB(3) were 1.50, 1.65 and 0.4 μg kg(-1), respectively, which were lower than the criteria of EU, USA and other countries regarding minimum residue limits of fumonisins in foods including baby foods and feedstuffs. Recoveries of three fumonisins ranged from 80.9% to 97.0% with RSD values of 2.4-11.1%.The advantages of this method include simple pretreatment, rapid determination and high sensitivity, and it fulfills the requirements for food analysis with respect to minimum residue limits of fumonisins in various countries.