Combined phenyl silane and immunoaffinity column cleanup with liquid chromatography for determination of ochratoxin A in roasted coffee: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate a liquid chromatography (LC) method for ochratoxin A using sequential phenyl silane and immunoaffinity column cleanup. The method was tested at 3 different levels of ochratoxin A in roasted coffee, which spanned the range of possible future European regulatory limits. The test portion was extracted with methanol and sodium bicarbonate by shaking for 30 min. The extract was filtered, centrifuged, and then cleaned up on a phenyl silane column before being eluted from the washed column with methanol-water. The eluate was diluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and applied to an ochratoxin A immunoaffinity column, which was washed with water. The ochratoxin A was eluted with methanol, the solvent was evaporated, and the residue was redissolved in injection solvent. After injection of this solution onto a reversed-phase LC apparatus, ochratoxin A was measured by fluorescence detection. Eight laboratory samples of low-level naturally contaminated roasted coffee and 2 laboratory samples of blank coffee (< 0.2 ng/g ochratoxin A at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1), along with ampules of ochratoxin A calibrant and spiking solutions, were sent to 15 laboratories in 13 different European countries. Test portions of the laboratory samples were spiked at levels of 4 ng/g ochratoxin A, and recoveries ranged from 65 to 97%. Based on results for spiked blank material (blind duplicates) and naturally contaminated material (blind duplicates at 3 levels), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 2 to 22% and the relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 14 to 26%. The method showed acceptable within- and between-laboratory precision, as evidenced by HORRAT values, at the low level of determination for ochratoxin A in roasted coffee.     

Determination of zearalenone in cereal grains, animal feed, and feed ingredients using immunoaffinity column chromatography and liquid chromatography: interlaboratory study

A method using immunoaffinity column chromatography (IAC) and liquid chromatography (LC) for determination of zearalenone in cereal grains, animal feed, and feed ingredients was collaboratively studied. The test portion is extracted by shaking with acetonitrile-water (90 + 10, v/v) and sodium chloride. The extract is diluted and applied to an immunoaffinity column, the column is washed with water or phosphate-buffered saline or methanol-water (30 + 70, v/v), and zearalenone is eluted with methanol. The eluate is evaporated, the residue is dissolved in mobile phase and analyzed by reversed-phase LC with fluorescence detection. The presence of zearalenone can be confirmed using an alternate excitation wavelength or diode array detection. Twenty samples were sent to 13 collaborators (8 in Europe, 2 in the United States, one in Japan, one in Uruguay, and one in Canada). Eighteen samples of naturally contaminated corn, barley, wheat, dried distillers grains, swine feed, and dairy feed were analyzed as blind duplicates, along with blank corn and wheat samples. The analyses were done in 2 sample sets with inclusion of a spiked wheat control sample (0.1 mg/kg) in each set. Spiked samples recoveries were 89-116%, and for the 18 naturally contaminated samples, RSDr values (within-laboratory repeatability) ranged from 6.67 to 12.1%, RSDR values (among-laboratory reproducibility) ranged from 12.5 to 19.7%, and HorRat values ranged from 0.61 to 0.90.     

Liquid chromatographic method with immunoaffinity column cleanup for determination of ochratoxin A in barley: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate a liquid chromatographic (LC) method with immunoaffinity column cleanup for determination of ochratoxin A. The method was tested at 3 concentration levels of ochratoxin A in barley, which represent possible future European regulatory limits. The test portion was extracted with acetonitrile-water by blending at high speed. The extract was filtered, diluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and applied to an ochratoxin A immunoaffinity column. The column was washed with water and the ochratoxin A eluted with methanol. The solvent was then evaporated and the residue redissolved in injection solvent. After injection of this solution onto reversed-phase LC column, ochratoxin A was measured by fluorescence detection. Eight samples of low level naturally contaminated barley and 2 samples of blank barley (ochratoxin A not found at the limit of detection of 0.2 microg/kg at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3 to 1) were sent, along with ampules of ochratoxin A, calibrant, and spiking solutions, to 15 laboratories in 13 different European countries. Test portions were spiked with ochratoxin A at levels of 4 ng/g, and recoveries ranged from 65 to 113%. Based on results for spiked samples (blind duplicates) and naturally contaminated samples (blind duplicates at 3 levels), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 4 to 24%, and the relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 12 to 33%. The method showed acceptable within- and between-laboratory precision, as evidenced by HORRAT values, at the low level of determination for ochratoxin A in barley.     

Determination of deoxynivalenol in cereals and cereal products by immunoaffinity column cleanup with liquid chromatography: interlaboratory study

An interlaboratory study was performed on behalf of the UK Food Standards Agency to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column cleanup liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the determination of deoxynivalenol in a variety of cereals and cereal products at proposed European regulatory limits. The test portion was extracted with water. The sample extract was filtered a applied to an immunoaffinity column. After being washed with water, the deoxynivalenol was eluted with acetonitrile or methanol. Deoxynivalenol was quantitated by reversed-phase LC with UV determination. Samples of artificially contaminated wheat-flour, rice flour, oat flour, polenta, and wheat based breakfast cereal, naturally contaminated wheat flour, and blank (very low level) samples of each matrix were sent to 13 collaborators in 7 European countries. Participants were asked to spike test portions of all samples at a range of deoxynivalenol concentrations equivalent to 200-2000 ng/g deoxynivalenol. Average recoveries ranged from 78 to 87%. Based on results for 6 artificially contaminated samples (blind duplicates), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 3.1 to 14.1%, and the relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 11.5 to 26.3%. The method showed acceptable within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for all 5 matrixes, as evidenced by HorRat values < 1.3.     

Optimization of solid-phase clean-up prior to liquid chromatographic analysis of ochratoxin A in roasted coffee

An extraction and clean-up method for ochratoxin A (OA) in roasted coffee has been developed and the HPLC method optimized. An interfering compound with a similar retention time as OA was adsorbed by the aminopropyl (NH2) material at < or = 5% NaHCO3. Residual OA on the column was recovered by washing with the extraction solution followed with methanol. Fractions were mixed together for further clean-up with Ochratest immunoaffinity columns (IACs). Analysis by HPLC resulted in a well resolved OA peak and reduction in matrix interferences. Recoveries ranged from 72 to 84% and the detection limit was 1 ng/g.     

Comparison of four C18 columns for the liquid chromatographic determination of deoxynivalenol in naturally contaminated wheat

Three long and 1 short reversed-phase C18 columns were compared for separation of deoxynivalenol (DON) in extracts of naturally contaminated wheat samples using liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Among the 3 long columns used, a Symmetry C18 column with an isocratic solvent mixture of water-acetonitrile-methanol (90 + 5 + 5, v/v/v) gave the best separation for DON without interferences from other compounds in the wheat extracts. The Symmetry short (75 mm) column was comparable with the long column (250 mm) in resolving DON but significantly reduced retention time (i.e., 5.8 versus 16.3 min). Increasing the column temperature from 25 to 45 degrees C resulted in a further reduction in retention time. Identity of DON in the wheat extracts and standard solutions was confirmed by LC/MS in the positive ion mode, whereby DON appeared with an (M+1)+ ion at a mass-to-charge ratio of 297 plus fragment ions associated with loss of water and/or a 30 atomic mass unit (amu) CH2O fragment. The Symmetry short column was also capable of separating a mixture of the mycotoxins DON, 15-acetyl-DON, nivalenol, and zearalenone by use of a combination of an isocratic and gradient solvent system. The overall method showed high precision, exhibiting a relative standard deviation of 4.8%, limit of detection of 50 ng/g, and limit of quantitation of 165 ng/g. It was significantly correlated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis, indicating its appropriateness for safety and quality assurance of wheat and related grains.     

Determination of fumonisin B1 in botanical roots by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: single-laboratory validation

The accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility characteristics of a published method for measuring levels of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in botanical root products were determined by an AOAC single-laboratory validation procedure. Replicates of 10 test portions of each powdered root product (black cohosh, echinacea, ginger, ginseng, valerian, dong quai, and turmeric) at each spiking level (FB1 at 0, 50, 100, and 200 ng/g) were analyzed on 3 separate days. Test samples were extracted with methanol-acetonitrile-water (25 + 25 + 100, v/v/v). The extracts were centrifuged, the supernatants diluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 1% Tween 20 and filtered, and the filtrates applied to an immunoaffinity column containing antibodies specific for fumonisins. After the column was washed sequentially with PBS and water, the toxin was eluted from the column with 80% methanol, and the eluate dried by lyophilization. The residue was reconstituted with 50% acetonitrile. FB1 was derivatized with a mixture of o-phthaldialdehyde and mercaptoethanol by using an LC autoinjector. Separations were performed with an RP-LC column, and the FB1 derivative was quantified by fluorescence detection. All root products were found to contain FB1 at <10 ng/g. Average within- and between-day recoveries of FB1 from the botanical roots ranged from 67 to 95% and from 68 to 100%, respectively. Total RSD values for within- and between-day repeatability ranged from 5.5 to 26.4%. HorRat values were <1.3 for all of the matrixes examined. The method meets the AOAC method performance criteria at levels of >50 ng/g for the seven botanical roots tested.     

The comparison of two clean-up procedures, multifunctional column and immunoaffinity column, for HPLC determination of ochratoxin A in cereals, raisins and green coffee beans

To evaluate a clean-up method of detecting ochratoxin A (OTA) by HPLC, the performances of two different clean-up columns, an immunoaffinity column and a multifuntional column were compared in an inter-laboratory study. As samples, un-contaminated wheat, corn grits, green coffee beans and naturally contaminated raisins were used. The recovery test was performed at two different concentrations of OTA (0.5 and 5.0 μg/kg) except for naturally contaminated raisins. Using the immunoaffinity column, the recovery rates, and relative standard deviations for repeatability (R.S.D._r) and reproducibility (R.S.D._R) for wheat, corn grits and green coffee beans ranged 59.0-85.8, 4.2-7.8 and 22.9-29.2%, respectively. For naturally contaminated raisins, recovery, R.S.D._r and R.S.D._R were 84.1, 1.8 and 5.1%, respectively. Using the multifunctional column, the recovery rates, R.S.D._r and R.S.D._R for wheat, corn grits and green coffee beans ranged 80.8-185.0, 0.7-6.9 and 15.2-33.9%, respectively. For naturally contaminated raisins, the recovery, R.S.D._r and R.S.D._R were 128.7, 1.1 and 3.7%, respectively. The results suggest that a multifunctional column could be used to detect OTA in wheat and corn grits at a concentration as low as 0.5 μg/kg; however, it was difficult to detect OTA in green coffee beans and raisins at such a low level. Although an immunoaffinity column could be used for all the test samples in this study from a low level to a high level, the recovery rates were lower than with a multifunctional column.     

Determination of zearalenone in barley, maize and wheat flour, polenta, and maize-based baby food by immunoaffinity column cleanup with liquid chromatography: interlaboratory study

An interlaboratory study was performed on behalf of the UK Food Standards Agency to evaluate the effectiveness of an affinity column cleanup liquid chromatography (LC) method for the determination of zearalenone (ZON) in a variety of cereals and cereal products at proposed European regulatory limits. The test portion is extracted with acetonitrile:water. The sample extract is filtered, diluted, and applied to an affinity column. The column is washed, and ZON is eluted with acetonitrile. ZON is quantified by reversed-phase LC with fluorescence detection. Barley, wheat and maize flours, polenta, and a maize-based baby food naturally contaminated, spiked, and blank (very low level) were sent to 28 collaborators in 9 European countries and 1 collaborator in New Zealand. Participants were asked to spike test portions of all samples at a ZON concentration equivalent to 100 microg/kg. Average recoveries ranged from 91-111%. Based on results for 4 artificially contaminated samples (blind duplicates) and 1 naturally contaminated sample (blind duplicate), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 6.9-35.8%, and the relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 16.4-38.2%. The method showed acceptable within- and between-laboratory precision for all 5 matrixes, as evidenced by HorRat values <1.7.     

Ion chromatographic determination of some organic acids, chloride and phosphate in coffee and tea

An ion chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of organic acids and inorganic ions is described. Acetic, malic, ascorbic, citric, malic and succinic acids, chloride and phosphate were determined in coffee and tea samples. The separation is performed on an anion-exchange column operated at 40 °C within 25 min by an isocratic elution with 0.6 mM aqueous potassium hydrogenphthalate (pH 4.0) solution containing 4% (v/v) acetonitrile as eluent and determination by conductivity detection. The method does not need a special sample treatment and was successfully applied to the analysis of black, green and oolong tea samples. Also, green and roasted coffee samples from the varieties arabica and robusta were analyzed.     

Simultaneous extraction of tocotrienols and tocopherols from cereals using pressurized liquid extraction prior to LC determination

Tocopherols and tocotrienols have been simultaneously determined in food samples using a rapid and simple analytical method including pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and LC with electrochemical detection. Separation was carried out on a Phenomenex Synergi 4 μm Hydro‐RP 80A column, using a solution of 2.5 mM acetic acid/sodium acetate in methanol/water (99:1, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Column temperature was maintained at 30°C. Detection was performed by coulometric detection at 500 mV except for (β+γ)‐tocotrienol, in wheat and rye samples, which was at +350 mV. A palm oil containing a relatively large amount of γ‐tocotrienol and lower concentrations of α‐ and δ‐tocotrienols and α‐ and γ‐tocopherols was used to provide reference retention times for the tocotrienols. Analyte quantification was performed using the external standard method. The calibration equations of tocopherols were used to quantify both tocopherols and their corresponding tocotrienols. The extraction recoveries obtained using the optimized PLE conditions were in the 80–114% range, with RSDs lower than 15%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of tocotrienols and tocopherols in cereal (wheat, rye, barley, maize and oat) and palm oil samples.     

Immunoaffinity column cleanup with liquid chromatography using post-column bromination for determination of aflatoxins in hazelnut paste: interlaboratory study

An interlaboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column cleanup liquid chromatography (LC) method for determination of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins in hazelnut paste at European regulatory limits. The test portion was extracted with methanol-water (6 + 4). The extract was filtered, diluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution to a specified solvent concentration, and applied to an immunoaffinity column containing antibodies specific to aflatoxins. The aflatoxins were removed from the immunoaffinity column with methanol, and then quantified by reversed-phase LC with post-column derivatization (PCD) involving bromination. The PCD was achieved with electrochemically generated bromine (Kobra Cell) followed by fluorescence detection (except for one participant who used pyridinum hydrobromide perbromide for bromination). Hazelnut paste, both naturally contaminated with aflatoxins and blank (<0.1 ng/g) for spiking by participants with aflatoxins, was sent to 14 collaborators in Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Test portions were spiked at levels of 4.0 and 10.0 ng/g for total aflatoxins by participants using supplied total aflatoxins standards. Recoveries for total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 averaged from 86 to 89%. Based on results for naturally contaminated samples (blind duplicates at 3 levels ranging from 4.0 to 11.8 ng/g total aflatoxins), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 2.3 to 3.4% for total aflatoxins and from 2.2 to 3.2% for aflatoxin B1. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSD(R)) ranged from 6.1 to 7.0% for total aflatoxins and from 7.3 to 7.8% for aflatoxin B1. The method showed exceptionally good within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for hazelnut paste, as evidenced by HORRAT values, which in all cases were significantly below target levels, the low levels of determination for both aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins.     

Determination of aflatoxin B1 in baby food (infant formula) by immunoaffinity column cleanup liquid chromatography with postcolumn bromination: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column cleanup liquid chromatography (LC) method for determination of aflatoxin B, in a milk powder based infant formula at a possible future European regulatory limit (0.1 ng/g). The test portion was extracted with methanol-water (8 + 2 [v + v]), filtered, diluted with water, and applied to an immunoaffinity column. The column was washed with water to remove interfering compounds, and the purified aflatoxin B1 was eluted with methanol. The separation and determination of the aflatoxin B1 was performed by reversed-phase LC and detected by fluorescence after postcolumn derivatization (PCD) involving bromination. PCD was achieved with either pyridinum hydrobromide perbromide (PBPB) or an electrochemical (Kobra) cell by addition of bromide to the mobile phase. The baby food (infant formula) test samples, both spiked and naturally contaminated with aflatoxin B1, were sent to 14 laboratories in 13 different European countries. Test portions were spiked at levels of 0.1 and 0.2 ng/g for aflatoxin B1. Recoveries ranged from 101 to 92%. Based on results for spiked test samples (blind pairs at 2 levels) and naturally contaminated test samples (blind pairs at 3 levels), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 3.5 to 14%. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 9 to 23%. Nine participants used PBPB derivatization, and     

Quantification of Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid in Green and Roasted Coffee Samples Using HPLC-DAD and Evaluation of the Effect of Degree of Roasting on Their Levels

Chlorogenic acid and caffeine are among the important components in coffee beans, determining the taste and aroma. In addition, phenols and antioxidants content possess vital health values. The main aim of this study is to determine the levels of caffeine and chlorogenic acid in several coffee samples of different origins and degrees of roasting. The coffee samples were extracted using hot water. The levels of caffeine and chlorogenic acid were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a diode array detector, a reverse phase system, and an ODS column (C18). Total phenol and antioxidant contents were previously determined for the same samples. The results showed that the highest content of caffeine was found in the medium roasted coffee (203.63 mg/L), and the highest content of chlorogenic acid content was found in the green coffee (543.23 mg/L). The results demonstrated a negative correlation between the chlorogenic acid levels with the degree of roasting, while it showed a positive correlation between the caffeine levels with the degree of roasting till a certain point where the levels dropped in the dark roasted coffee. The origin of coffee samples did not show any effect on any of the measured variables. Antioxidant effects of coffee samples were largely determined by chlorogenic acid content.     

Immunoaffinity column cleanup with liquid chromatography using post-column bromination for determination of aflatoxins in peanut butter, pistachio paste, fig paste, and paprika powder: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column cleanup liquid chromatography (LC) method for the determination of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins at European regulatory limits. The test portion is extracted with methanol-water (8 + 2) for dried figs and paprika, and with methanol-water (8 + 2) plus hexane (or cyclohexane) for peanut butter and pistachios. The sample extract is filtered, diluted with phosphate buffer saline, and applied to an immunoaffinity column. The column is washed with water and the aflatoxins are eluted with methanol. Aflatoxins are quantitated by reversed-phase LC with post-column derivatization (PCD) involving bromination. PCD is achieved with either an electrochemical cell (Kobra cell) and addition of bromide to the mobile phase or pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide. Determination is by fluorescence. Peanut butter, pistachio paste, dried fig paste, and paprika powder samples, both naturally contaminated with aflatoxins and containing added aflatoxins, were sent to 16 collaborators in 16 European countries. Test portions of samples were spiked at levels of 2.4 and 9.6 ng/g for total aflatoxins which included 1.0 and 4.0 ng/g aflatoxin B1, respectively. Recoveries for total aflatoxins ranged from 71 to 92% with corresponding recoveries for aflatoxin B1 of 82 to 109%. Based on results for spiked samples (blind duplicates at 2 levels) as well as naturally contaminated samples (blind duplicates at 4 levels, including blank), the relative standard deviation for repeatability ranged from 4.6 to 23.3% for total aflatoxins and from 3.1 to 20.0% for aflatoxin B1. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility ranged from 14.1 to 34.2% for total aflatoxins, and from 9.1 to 32.2% for aflatoxin B1. The method showed acceptable within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for all 4 matrixes, as evidenced by HORRAT values <1, at the low levels of determination for both total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1.     

Determination of zearalenone in botanical dietary supplements, soybeans, grains, and grain products by immunoaffinity column cleanup and liquid chromatography: single-laboratory validation

The accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility characteristics of a method for measuring levels of zearalenone (ZON) in botanical root products, soybeans, grains, and grain products were determined by an AOAC single-laboratory validation procedure. Replicates of 10 test portions of each powdered root product (black cohosh, ginger, ginseng), brown rice flour, brown rice grain, oat flour, rice bran, soybeans, and wheat flour at each spiking level (ZON at 0, 50, 100, and 200 microg/kg) were analyzed on 3 separate days. Test samples were extracted with methanol-water (75 + 25, v/v). The extracts were centrifuged or filtered, diluted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.5% Tween 20, and filtered; the filtrates were applied to an immunoaffinity column containing antibodies specific for ZON. After the column was washed with methanol-PBS (15 + 85, v/v) containing 0.5% Tween 20 and then with water, the toxin was eluted from the column with methanol, and the eluate was diluted with water. The eluate containing the toxin was then subjected to RPLC with fluorescence detection. All commodities that were found to contain ZON at < 10 microg/kg were used for the recovery study. The average within-day and between-days recoveries of ZON added at levels of 50-200 microg/kg ranged from 82 to 88% and from 81 to 84%, respectively, for all test commodities. The total average of within- and between-day SD and RSDr values for all test commodities ranged from 2.5 to 7.3 microg/kg and from 4.6 to 6.2%, respectively. HorRat values were <1.3 for all matrixes examined. The tested method was found to be acceptable for the matrixes examined.     

Development and in-house validation of a robust and sensitive solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantitative determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereal-based foods

A sensitive and robust liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins (B(1), B(2), G(1), G(2)), ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereal-based foods. Samples were extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile/water (84:16, v/v) and cleaned up through a polymeric solid-phase extraction column. Detection and quantification of the nine mycotoxins were performed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS), using fully (13)C-isotope-labelled mycotoxins as internal standards. The method was validated in-house for five different cereal processed products, namely barley, oat and durum wheat flours, rye- and wheat-based crisp bread. Recoveries and repeatability of the whole analytical procedure were evaluated at contamination levels encompassing the EU maximum permitted levels for each tested mycotoxin. Recoveries ranged from 89 to 108% for deoxynivalenol, from 73 to 114% for aflatoxins, from 85 to 114% for T-2 and HT-2 toxins, from 64 to 97% for zearalenone, from 74 to 102% for ochratoxin A. Relative standard deviations were less than 16% for all tested mycotoxins and matrices. Limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio 3:1) ranged from 0.1 to 59.2 μg/kg. The trueness of the results obtained by the proposed method was demonstrated by analysis of reference materials for aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone. The use of inexpensive clean-up cartridges and the increasing availability of less expensive LC/MS/MS instrumentation strengthen the potential of the proposed method for its effective application for reliable routine analysis to assess compliance of tested cereal products with current regulation.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric quantification of 4-(5-)methylimidazole in roasted coffee after ion-pair extraction

A GC-MS method is described for quantification of 4-(5-)methylimidazole (4MI) in coffee. Although tested, GC-flame ionization detection proved inadequate for this purpose due to the complexity of the coffee matrix. The developed method was based on ion-pair extraction with bis-2-ethylhexylphosphate and derivatization with isobutylchloroformate. Quantification was carried out by the standard addition method using 2-ethylimidazole as internal standard. Reproducibility data from the complete procedure are presented. Mean recoveries were higher than 98%. The method was applied to green and roasted coffee samples from the two most important varieties, arabica and robusta, and to commercial "torrefacto" coffee blends. 4MI was not detected in the green coffee samples analysed and ranged from 0.307 to 1.241 mg/kg in roasted samples.     

Determination of zearalenone content in cereals and feedstuffs by immunoaffinity column coupled with liquid chromatography

The zearalenone content of maize, wheat, barley, swine feed, and poultry feed samples was determined by immunoaffinity column cleanup followed by liquid chromatography (IAC-LC). Samples were extracted in methanol-water (8 + 2, v/v) solution. The filtered extract was diluted with distilled water and applied to immunoaffinity columns. Zearalenone was eluted with methanol, dried by evaporation, and dissolved in acetonitrile-water (3 + 7, v/v). Zearalenone was separated by isocratic elution of acetonitrile-water (50 + 50, v/v) on reversed-phase C18 column. The quantitative analysis was performed by fluorescence detector and confirmation was based on the UV spectrum obtained by a diode array detector. The mean recovery rate of zearalenone was 82-97% (RSD, 1.4-4.1%) on the original (single-use) immunoaffinity columns. The limit of detection of zearalenone by fluorescence was 10 ng/g at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1 and 30 ng/g by spectral confirmation in UV. A good correlation was found (R2 = 0.89) between the results obtained by IAC-LC and by the official AOAC-LC method. The specificity of the method was increased by using fluorescence detection in parallel with UV detection. This method was applicable to the determination of zearalenone content in cereals and other kinds of feedstuffs. Reusability of immunoaffinity columns was examined by washing with water after sample elution and allowing columns to stand for 24 h at room temperature. The zearalenone recovery rate of the regenerated columns varied between 79 and 95% (RSD, 3.2-6.3%). Columns can be regenerated at least 3 times without altering their performance and without affecting the results of repeated determinations.