Determination of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in ginseng and other botanical roots by immunoaffinity column cleanup and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain molds and are common contaminants of many important food crops, such as grains, nuts, and spices. Some mycotoxins are found in fruits, vegetables, and botanical roots. These contaminants have a broad range of toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. The public health concerns related to both acute and chronic effects of mycotoxins in animals have prompted more than 100 countries to establish regulatory limits for some of the well-known mycotoxins, such as the aflatoxins (AFL). Our research focused on method development for 2 of these toxins, AFL and ochratoxin A (OTA), in ginseng and other selected botanical roots. Methods using an immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup, liquid chromatographic separation, and fluorescence detection were modified and evaluated. Two types of IAC cleanup were evaluated: IAC for AFL, and IAC for both AFL and OTA. Three derivatization techniques to enhance the fluorescence of the AFL were compared: precolumn trifluoroacetic acid, postcolumn bromination, and postcolumn ultraviolet irradiation. No derivatization was needed for OTA. Results for AFL using the single analyte IAC cleanup and the 3 derivatization techniques were all comparable for ginseng and for other roots such as ginger, licorice, and kava-kava. Recoveries of added AFL for ginseng at levels from 2 to 16 ng/g were about 80%. Using IAC cleanup for both AFL and OTA recoveries of added AFL for ginseng at 4-16 ng/g were about 70%, and for ginger, licorice, and kava-kava were about 60%. Recoveries of added OTA for ginseng, ginger, and echinacea at 4 ng/g were about 55%.     

Extraction of aflatoxins B1 and G1 from maize by using aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate

Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens produced by certain Aspergillus fungi. The aflatoxins were first discovered in the 1960s, and since then have been found to be distributed worldwide in a variety of commodities, foods, and feeds. Many of the early techniques for detecting aflatoxins involved extraction with halogenated solvents. With the increased availability and use of reversed-phase solid-phase extraction cartridges and the availability of immunoaffinity columns, aqueous mixtures of nonhalogenated solvents have been frequently used. To further reduce the need for solvents, we examined the effects of eliminating solvents during the extraction of maize, using aqueous mixtures of the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate. After extraction and filtration, aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) and G1 (AFG1) were isolated by using commercially available immunoaffinity columns. The isolated AFB1 and AFG1 were derivatized with trifluoroacetic acid before separation by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. In spiked maize, the limits of detection were 0.5 and 1 ng/g for AFB1 and AFG1, respectively. Recoveries of AFB1 from maize spiked at 1-20 ng/g averaged 87.5% (range, 76.3-99.0%), with an average repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr) of 4.0%. Recoveries of AFG1 from maize spiked at 2-20 ng/g averaged 80.4% (range, 70.3-85.8%), with an average RSDr of 3.5%. This is the first reported demonstration of an effective solvent-free extraction of aflatoxins from maize at ambient pressure, and this extraction procedure may serve to help reduce solvent consumption during aflatoxin analysis.     

Determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 and ochratoxin A in ginseng and ginger by multitoxin immunoaffinity column cleanup and liquid chromatographic quantitation: collaborative study

The accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility characteristics of a method using multitoxin immunoaffinity column cleanup with liquid chromatography (LC) for determination of aflatoxins (AF; sum of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in powdered ginseng and ginger have been established in a collaborative study involving 13 laboratories from 7 countries. Blind duplicate samples of blank, spiked (AF and OTA added) at levels ranging from 0.25 to 16.0 microg/kg for AF and 0.25 to 8.0 microg/kg for OTA were analyzed. A naturally contaminated powdered ginger sample was also included. Test samples were extracted with methanol and 0.5% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (700 + 300, v/v). The extract was centrifuged, diluted with phosphate buffer (PB), filtered, and applied to an immunoaffinity column containing antibodies specific for AF and OTA. After washing the column with water, the toxins were eluted from the column with methanol, and quantified by high-performance LC with fluorescence detection. Average recoveries of AF from ginseng and ginger ranged from 70 to 87% (at spiking levels ranging from 2 to 16 microg/kg), and of OTA, from 86 to 113% (at spiking levels ranging from 1 to 8 microg/kg). Relative standard deviations for within-laboratory repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 2.6 to 8.3% for AF, and from 2.5 to 10.7% for OTA. Relative standard deviations for between-laboratory reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 5.7 to 28.6% for AF, and from 5.5 to 10.7% for OTA. HorRat values were < or = 2 for the multi-analytes in the 2 matrixes.     

Analysis of aflatoxins in nonalcoholic beer using liquid–liquid extraction and ultraperformance LC‐MS/MS

Aflatoxins AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 are toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and posses a potential threat to food safety. In the present work, liquid–liquid extraction and ultraperformance LC‐MS/MS method has been applied for the determination of four naturally occurring aflatoxins AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 in nonalcoholic beer. Aflatoxins extraction from nonalcoholic beer was carried out using liquid–liquid extraction procedure. The effects of solvent‐types were studied to obtain maximum recovery of the target analytes with minimum contamination. Among different solvents, the aflatoxins extraction was best achieved using ethyl acetate. The obtained recoveries were ranged from 85 to 96% with good quality parameters: LOD values between 0.001 and 0.003 ng/mL, linearity of the calibration curve (r² > 0.999), and repeatability (run‐to‐run) and reproducibility (day‐to‐day) precisions with RSDs lower than 5% (n = 5) achieved at 0.50 ng/mL concentration. The optimized liquid–liquid extraction in combination with ultraperformance LC‐MS/MS was applied successfully to the analysis of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 aflatoxins in 11 nonalcoholic beers and were detected up to 15.31 ng/L in some of the samples.     

The surface-enhanced Raman spectra of aflatoxins: spectral analysis, density functional theory calculation, detection and differentiation

High-quality surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of aflatoxin (AF) B(1), B(2), G(1) and G(2) have been acquired using silver nanorod (AgNR) array substrates fabricated by oblique angle deposition method. Significant vibrational peaks are identified on the argon plasma-cleaned substrates, and those peaks agree very well with the Raman spectra calculated by density function theory (DFT). The concentration-dependent SERS detection is also explored. The relationship between the concentration (C) of different AFs and the SERS intensity (I) of the Raman peak at Δν = 1592 cm(-1) is found to follow the general relationship I = AC(α), with α ranging from 0.32 to 0.46 for the four AFs. The limits of detection (LODs) reach 5 × 10(-5) mol L(-1) for AFB(1), 1 × 10(-4) mol L(-1) for AFB(2), and 5 × 10(-6) mol L(-1) for both AFG(1) and AFG(2) in bulk solution, or 6.17 × 10(-16) mol/1.93 × 10(-4) ng of AFB(1), 1.23 × 10(-15) mol/3.88 × 10(-4) ng for AFB(2), 6.17 × 10(-17) mol/2.03 × 10(-5) ng for AFG(1), and 6.17 × 10(-17) mol/2.04 × 10(-5) ng for AFG(2) per laser spot. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to successfully differentiate these four different kinds of AFs at different concentrations up to their detection limits. The LODs obtained from PCA agree with the LODs obtained by using peak fitting method. With such a low detection limit and outstanding differentiation ability, we prove the possibility of utilizing the SERS detection system as a platform for highly sensitive mycotoxin detection.     

Supercritical fluid extraction and quantification of aflatoxins in Zizyphi Fructus by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

An integrated method combining supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS/MS) was developed and successfully applied to quantify aflatoxins (AFs) in Zizyphi Fructus (fruits of Zizyphus jujube), a traditional Chinese medicine. To minimize the potential interferences caused by the complex matrix in Zizyphi Fructus, a SFE pretreatment was performed. In addition, electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) spectra were also compared. The results showed that the calibration curves of AFB(1), AFB(2), AFG(1), and AFG(2) were all linear over the range of concentration from 1 to 50 ng/g, the squared correlation coefficients (r(2)) were over 0.995, and the detection limits of the method were between 0.17 and 0.32 ng/g. It showed high recovery and good precision in quantitating AFs in Zizyphi Fructus without further clean-up. Further, fragmentation pathways of protonated AFs in APCI-MS/MS were clearly proposed which could predict the existence of AFB or AFG series. To test the empirical validity of the proposed methodology in this paper, eight random samples of Zizyphi Fructus collected from supermarkets and traditional Chinese medicine stores in different geographical areas of Taiwan were analyzed. The results indicated that low levels of AFs were detected in only one of them.     

Mycotoxins in spices and culinary herbs from Italy and Tunisia

Abstract

Spices and aromatic herbs can be contaminated with mycotoxins, since of their preharvest, postharvest, and storage conditions. In this study, 112 samples of different spices and aromatic herbs were evaluated for their mycotoxins content by HPLC-MS/MS in order to highlight their possible risk linked with human use. The results showed that mycotoxins were occasionally detected only in samples of coriander, laurel, mint, rosemary, and verbena. In both geographical origins a different contamination was detected. Among the investigated mycotoxins, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, T2 and HT2 were detected, whereas none of the samples contained AFB1 and FB1. The co-occurrence of two toxins were observed for some samples of rosemary and verbena. This study indicates that it is essential minimize the toxins in agriculture, industry, and food-product manufacturing for the consumer health protection.     

全自动免疫亲和在线净化/高效液相色谱法快速高通量测定饲料中黄曲霉毒素

建立了全自动免疫亲和在线净化/高效液相色谱快速高通量测定饲料中黄曲霉毒素(Aflatoxins,AFT)的分析方法。饲料样品经乙腈-水(80∶20,体积比)提取,3 g/L Triton X-100水溶液10倍稀释后,用自动进样器注入RIDACREST在线固相萃取系统并流经黄曲霉毒素免疫亲和小柱,以甲醇-水(45∶55,体积比)为流动相,流速为1.0 m L/min,C18色谱柱(150 mm×3.5 mm,5μm)分离,光化学衍生,荧光检测器测定。根据3倍信噪比的峰响应值,确定黄曲霉毒素B1,B2,G1,G2的检出限分别为0.08,0.05,0.18,0.08μg/kg,分别在1~100,0.24~24,0.56~56,0.24~24μg/kg范围内呈线性相关,相关系数(r2)分别为0.999 4,0.999 7,0.999 8和0.999 8;AFT在猪饲料、鸡饲料、宠物饲料和饲料原料4类样品中的加标回收率为72.6%~103%,相对标准偏差为2.5%~4.9%。该方法一次装柱可检测60个样品,液相色谱分析一个样品总的运行时间为15 min,所以1 d可检测70~80个样品,满足饲料中黄曲霉毒素快速高通量准确定量检测的需要。     

Development of the custom polymeric materials specific for aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A for application with the ToxiQuant T1 sensor tool

Two polymers were computationally designed with affinity to two of the most abundant mycotoxins aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) for application in the ToxiQuant T1 System. The principle of quantification of AFB1 and OTA using the ToxiQuant T1 instrument comprised of a fluorimetric analysis of mycotoxins adsorbed on the polymer upon exposure to UV light. High affinity of the developed resins allowed the adsorption of both toxins as discrete bands on the top of the cartridge with detection limit as low as 1 ng quantity of mycotoxins.     

基于QuEChERS法提取液相色谱-串联质谱法测定新会陈皮中的9种真菌毒素和农药残留

建立了Qu ECh ERS-改性多壁碳纳米管提取净化结合液相色谱-质谱联用同时检测新会陈皮中6种真菌毒素和3种农药残留的分析方法,并对影响提取、净化、检测效率的因素进行了优化。以乙腈-水(80∶20)提取样品,适量改性多壁碳纳米管净化后,净化液直接用HPLC-MS/MS进行测定,选择多反应监测模式,基质匹配标准溶液外标法定量。在优化实验条件下,9种目标化合物在各自线性范围内均具有良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.983 8~0.998 2,检出限(S/N=3)为0.18~10μg/kg。在低、中、高3个加标水平的平均回收率为72.4%~106%,相对标准偏差为2.2%~7.4%。该法准确、灵敏度高﹑操作简单﹑快速,可满足新会陈皮中上述9种化合物同时测定的要求,应用于真菌毒素和农药残留的快速筛查和确证,结果满意。     

液相色谱-三重串联四极杆质谱测定粮油中的黄曲霉毒素

建立了超声提取-液相色谱-电喷雾三重串联四极杆质谱测定玉米、大米、大豆等粮油固体样品中黄曲霉毒素B1、B2、G1和G2(AFB1、AFB2、AFG1和AFG2)的方法。分析前对样品进行超声提取,优化得到最佳超声提取条件: 溶剂为甲醇-水(含40 g/L NaCl) (80:20, v/v)溶液、料液比为1:3(g:mL)、温度为50 ℃、时间为3 min。然后对提取的样品进行免疫亲和特异性净化。最后与液相色谱-电喷雾三重串联四极杆质谱联用,使用C18反相色谱柱,流动相为甲醇-10 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液梯度洗脱,以黄曲霉毒素M1(AFM1)作为内标进行定量测定。结果表明,AFB1、AFB2、AFG1和AFG2的检出限分别为0.002、0.004、0.004和0.012 μg/kg。方法的加标回收率为87%～111%,日内相对标准偏差(RSD)和日间RSD分别不大于6.7%和5.6%。实验结果表明该方法可以有效地降低基质效应的影响,相比于外标法能极大地提高方法的准确度。     

复合免疫亲和柱净化-液相色谱-串联质谱法测定动物源食品中6种黄曲霉毒素和6种玉米赤霉醇类真菌毒素残留量

建立了动物源食品(猪肉、鱼肉、猪肝)中6种黄曲霉毒素(AFB1、AFB2、AFG1、AFG2、AFM1和 AFM2)和6种玉米赤霉醇类真菌毒素(α-玉米赤霉醇、β-玉米赤霉醇、α-玉米赤霉烯醇、β-玉米赤霉烯醇、玉米赤霉酮和玉米赤霉烯酮)残留量的复合免疫亲和柱净化-高效液相色谱-串联质谱(HPLC-MS/ MS)检测方法。样品经β-葡萄糖苷酸/硫酸酯复合酶酶解后,用甲醇-乙腈(20∶80, V/ V)提取,提取液经玻璃纤维滤纸过滤,滤液用PBS 溶液稀释,复合免疫亲和柱富集和净化后,采用 HPLC-MS/ MS 法分析。12种目标分析物中 AFB2和 AFG2的线性范围为0.03~6.0μg/ L,其余目标分析物的线性范围为0.05~20μg/ L,线性相关系数均大于0.999,检出限在0.01~0.03μg/ kg 范围内,定量限在0.04~0.09μg/ kg 范围内。分别以0.5,1.0和5.0μg/ kg 添加浓度水平进行方法学验证,平均回收率为73.6%~98.4%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.9%~11.2%。本方法简便、灵敏,能够满足动物源食品中痕量黄曲霉毒素和玉米赤霉醇类真菌毒素残留的测定要求。     

免疫亲和柱净化-柱后光化学衍生-高效液相色谱法同时检测粮谷中的黄曲霉毒素、玉米赤霉烯酮和赭曲霉毒素A

建立了同时检测粮谷中黄曲霉毒素(B1、B2、G1和G2)、玉米赤霉烯酮和赭曲霉毒素A的免疫亲和柱净化-柱后光化学衍生-高效液相色谱方法。样品经过甲醇-水(体积比为80∶20)提取,通过免疫亲和柱富集和净化,采用Waters Nova-Pak色谱柱(3.9 mm i.d.×150 mm,4 μm),以甲醇、乙腈和1%的磷酸溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,柱后光化学衍生、改变波长荧光检测。黄曲霉毒素(B1、B2、G1和G2)、玉米赤霉烯酮和赭曲霉毒素A检出限分别为0.24,4.0和0.5 μg/kg,标准曲线的线性范围分别为0.24~6.0,4.0~100.0和0.5~40.0 μg/L;在小麦、玉米、黑麦样品中,平均加标回收率为70.8% ~94.0%,相对标准偏差为2.79% ~9.38%。     

Rapid determination of citrinin in corn by fluorescence liquid chromatography and enzyme immunoassay

A rapid assay procedure was developed for mycotoxin citrinin in corn using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) cartridges. Ground corn was extracted with methylene chloride and 0.5 N phosphoric acid. The extract was added to an LLE cartridge containing a diatomaceous-earth adsorbant, previously impregnated with sodium bicarbonate solution. After aspiration to dryness, the cartridge was eluted with methanol-water (4 + 1), and aliquots were taken for quantitation by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Recoveries of citrinin added to ground corn at 200-1600 ng/g ranged from 71.2 to 86.3%, with coefficients of variation between 4.1 and 10.6%. An indirect enzyme immunoassay was also evaluated, using sodium carbonate solution for extraction. Recoveries of citrinin added to ground corn at 200-2000 ng/g ranged from 53.2 to 67.2%, but the coefficients of variation varied between 18.4 and 51.5%. The LLE cartridge procedure offers the advantages of low solvent consumption and speed, and is amenable to automation.     

Restricted access supramolecular solvents for sample treatment in enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay of mycotoxins in food

A restricted access supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS-RAM) made up of tetradecanoic acid reverse micelles is proposed as a wide-scope and low-cost strategy for the treatment of agrifood samples prior to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The approach was assessed for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wines and spices and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in cereals, two ubiquitous mycotoxins that were selected as representative contaminants for this study. The samples were selected to cover a variety of matrices in terms diverse composition and high complexity. Macromolecules such as proteins and carbohydrates were not-co-extracted due to the restricted access properties of the SUPRAS that are provided by chemical and physical mechanisms. In this sense, analyte extraction and clean-up were carried out in a single step. Parameters determining the extraction efficiency were studied and optimized. Certified reference materials were used for method validation. Recoveries of OTA ranged between 83% and 96% in wines (with relative standard deviation, RSD, of about 10%) and between 81% and 93% in spices (RSD 7%). Recoveries for AFB1 in wheat ranged from 75% to 85% (RSD 8%). The detection limits were all below the maximum levels established for OTA and for AFB1 by EU directives. This method offers a green and low-cost alternative to the organic solvent-based extraction and/or immunoaffinity columns-based cleanup of complex samples prior to ELISA.     

Development and Validation of QuEChERS Followed by UHPLC-ToF-MS Method for Determination of Multi-Mycotoxins in Pistachio Nuts

Pistachios are one of the types of tree nut fruits with the highest mycotoxin contamination, especially of aflatoxins, worldwide. This study developed a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method that was followed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography combined with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC–ToF-MS) for the determination of mycotoxins in pistachios. Different approaches to dispersive solid phase extraction as a clean-up method for high lipid matrices were evaluated. For this, classic sorbents such as C18 (octadecyl-modified silica) and PSA (primary secondary amine), and new classes of sorbents, namely EMR-Lipid (enhanced matrix removal-lipid) and Z-Sep (modified silica gel with zirconium oxide), were used. The QuEChERS method, followed by Z-Sep d-SPE clean-up, provided the best analytical performance for aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), toxin T2 (T2) and toxin HT-2 (HT2) in pistachios. The method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, interday precision and recovery; it achieved good results according to criteria imposed by Commission Regulation (EC) no. 401/2006. The method was applied to real samples and the results show that pistachios that are available in Portuguese markets are safe from mycotoxins that are of concern to human health.     

Novel regulation of aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus by piperonal

The present study investigated its inhibitory role in aflatoxin (AF) biosynthesis. Treating only AFB1- and B2-producing Aspergillus flavus with piperonal completely inhibited AFB1 production with high sclerotial formation, resulting in 20-fold higher AFG2 production. On the other hand, benzodioxole and eugenol suppressed AFB1 production without AFG formation, while methyleugenol showed potent inhibition of AFB1 production with slight production of AFG1. These results indicate that natural products may change aflatoxin biosynthesis, and highlight a novel regulation of AFG2 production by piperonal. It is the first report for chemical regulation on AFG2 production in non-AFG producing-aspergilli.     

Concentration of ochratoxin A in wines from supermarkets and stores of Valencian Community (Spain)

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by fungi species belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium being isolated in alcoholic beverages. The aim of this work is developed and applied a procedure for the analysis of OTA in wines. An analytical method based on immunoaffinity column (IAC) for clean-up, liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FD), and LC-FD after of OTA methylation was used to determine the occurrence of OTA in wines. Recoveries of this mycotoxin spiked to red wines at 0.5 ng/ml level were >90% with an average of relative standards deviations of 4%. Furthermore, 116 wine samples from designation of origin (DO) and three samples from food stores of Valencian Community (Spain) were examined for the occurrence of OTA being the levels of this mycotoxin ranged from <0.01 to 0.76 ng/ml. Finally, the estimated daily intake of OTA in this study was 0.15 ng/kg bw per day.     

Aflatoxins and ochratoxin a reduction in black and white pepper by gamma radiation

Irradiation is an important means of decontamination of food commodities, especially spices. The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of gamma radiation (⁶⁰Co) for decontaminating ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins B₁ (AFB₁), B₂ (AFB₂), G₁ (AFG₁) and G₂ (AFG₂) residues in artificially contaminated black and white pepper samples. The moisture content of the pepper samples was set at 12% or 18%, and the applied gamma dose ranged from 5 to 30 kGy. Mycotoxin levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after immunoaffinity column (IAC) chromatography. Both the gamma irradiation dose and moisture content showed significant effects (P<0.05) on mycotoxin reduction. The maximum toxin reductions, found at 18% moisture content and 30 kGy, were 55.2%, 50.6%, 39.2%, 47.7% and 42.9% for OTA, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2, respectively.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure photoionization-tandem mass spectrometric method for the analysis of mycotoxins subjected to commission regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 In cereals

A sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography/photoionization (APPI) tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for determining nine selected mycotoxins in wheat and maize samples. The analytes were chosen on the basis of the mycotoxins under EU Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, i.e., deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZON), aflatoxins (AFs), and ochratoxin A (OTA), and considering the possibility of a near future regulation for T-2 and HT-2 toxins. Mycotoxins were extracted from samples by means of an one-step solvent extraction without any cleanup. The developed multi-mycotoxin method permits simultaneous, simple, and rapid determination of several co-existing toxins separated in a single chromatographic run, in which AFs, T-2 and HT-2 toxin are acquired in positive, while OTA, DON and ZON in negative mode. Although a moderate signal suppression was noticeable, matrix effect did not give significant differences at p = 0.05. Then, calibration in standard solution were used for quantitation. Based on the EU Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, the method was in-house validated in terms of ruggedness, specificity, linearity, trueness, within-laboratory reproducibility, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ). For all the analytes, the regression coefficient r ranged between 0.8752 (DON in wheat) and 0.9465 (ZON in maize), biases related to mean concentrations were from −13% to +12% of the nominal spiking level, and the overall within-laboratory reproducibility ranged 3–16%; finally, CCα values did not differ more than 20% and CCβ not more than 42% from their respective maximum limit. Method quantification limits ranged from 1/20 (AFG1) to 1/4 (AFG2 and OTA) the maximum limit established by European Union in the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 and its subsequent amendments.