A normal phase HPTLC method for the quantitative determination of fumonisin B1 in rice

Summary A normal phase HPTLC method has been validated by spiking, in quadruplet, uncontaminated extract of rice with fumonisin B₁ over the range 0 to 16g/g. The method utilises solid phase extraction using strong anionic exchange (SAX) cartridges, uni-directional normal phase high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), novel visualisation by dipping into a 0.16% acidic solution ofp-anisaldehyde and quantification by scanning fluoro-densitometry. Response was linear only over the range 0 to 5 g/g (0 to 125 ng/spot) where recoveries averaged 81% for rice. Weighted linear regression yielded a limit of detection of 0.25 g/g for rice. Coefficients of variance were 15.4, 5.3, 2.8, 3.5, and 0.9% at fumonisin B₁ levels of 0.20, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5 g/g respectively, demonstrating good precision. This method claims to be the first fully quantitative HPTLC method for determining fumonisin B₁ in rice.     

A normal phase HPTLC method for the quantitative determination of fumonisin B1 in rice

Summary A normal phase HPTLC method has been validated by spiking, in quadruplet, uncontaminated extract of rice with fumonisin B₁ over the range 0 to 16 μg/g. The method utilises solid phase extraction using strong anionic exchange (SAX) cartridges, uni-directional normal phase high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), novel visualisation by dipping into a 0.16 % acidic solution ofp-anisaldehyde and quantification by scanning fluoro-densitometry. Response was linear only over the range 0 to 5 μg/g (0 to 125 ng/spot) where recoveries averaged 81 % for rice. Weighted linear regression yielded a limit of detection of 0.25 μg/g for rice. Coefficients of variance were 15.4, 5.3, 2.8, 3.5, and 0.9 % at fumonisin B₁ levels of 0.20, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5 μg/g respectively, demonstrating good precision. This method claims to be the first fully quantitative HPTLC method for determining fumonisin B₁ in rice.     

Rapid simultaneous determination of major type A- and B-trichothecenes as well as zearalenone in maize by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method for the simultaneous determination of the Fusarium mycotoxins nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenon-X, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, the sum of 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, diacetoxy-scirpenol, HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin and zearalenone in maize has been developed using gradient RP-LC with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS/MS). Swift clean-up of maize samples was performed with MycoSep #226 columns. Quantification of zearalenone was performed with zearalanone as internal standard (IS), while no IS was used for the trichothecenes. Detection of the mycotoxins was carried out in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Method performance characteristics were estimated after analysis of spiked blank maize samples. Calibration curves were linear between 10 and 1000 microg/kg and the limits of detection ranged from 0.3 to 3.8 microg/kg depending on the mycotoxin. Moreover, the accuracy of the method was confirmed by comparing analytical data to certified values from reference materials for deoxynivalenol and zearalenone.     

Quantitative HPTLC determination of selenium

The present determination of selenium in biological matrices by HPTLC with in situ fluorimetric detection is an accurate alternative method, comparable to other established methods such as photometry, polarography, neutron activation, or X-ray fluorescence analysis, gas chromatography, and atomic absorption spectrometry. The excellent sensitivity of this procedure is proved by the detection limit of 250 fg of selenium per spot (using purified 2,3,1-naphthoselenodiazole). The oxidation of organic matrices, applying a novel digestion procedure, may be carried out with little instrumental expenditure. Sample preparation steps, such as the oxidation of selenium to Se (VI) and subsequent reduction to Se (IV) do not lead to significant random or systematic errors, nor does the digestion step, if an optimized procedure is used. A recovery rate of 103% and nearly parallel calibration curves for digested selenocysteine standards compared with spiked human serum samples demonstrate the accurate quantitative preparation of a biological matrix. Any interfering metal ions can be masked by addition of chelate-forming reagents.     

A normal phase HPTLC method for the quantitative determination of ochratoxin A in rice

Summary A previously published [1] liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ochratoxin A in corn, barley and kidney has been modified for application to parboiled rice with quantification by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The method has been validated by spiking uncontaminated extracts of rice with ochratoxin A over the range 0 to 198 g kg^–1. The proposed method has some significant advantages over the current AOAC method [2], especially for determining low levels of ochratoxin A in parboiled rice.     

Evaluation of a fluorometric-enzymatic method based on 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase for the mycotoxin zearalenone determination in corn

A new method for the fluorometric determination of zearalenone (ZEN) based on its reaction with βNADH in the presence of the enzyme 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) is described. The procedure is based on the change in fluorescence intensity that takes place during the enzymatic reaction (excitation at 340 nm and emission at 454 nm). The optimum reaction conditions and the analytical characteristics were studied; linear response range (1-10 mg l⁻¹) and reproducibility (8 mg l⁻¹, 2.7%, n=7). Moreover, a mathematical model explaining the analytical signal is proposed. The method has been applied to zearalenone determination in a spiked corn sample.     

Quantitative determination of phospholipids in mitochondria using HPTLC and fluorimetric assay in situ

A method is described for quantitative determination of phospholipids of mitochondria following one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography without previous elution. Using high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and an in situ fluorescence technique, the time needed for quantitative determination is relatively short. As the method is rather sensitive, small amounts of the extracts can be applied (about 200 ng of total phospholipids per spot). The reproducibility for the phospholipid fractions determined was in the range of 8–17%. The procedure was tested with lipid extracts of rat liver mitochondria. The method allows the determination of cardiolipin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl choline, and sphingomyelin.     

Calibration in TLC/HPTLC using the Michaelis-Menten function

Summary The Michaelis-Menten function describes a non linear relationship and is a possible calibration curve in TLC. Usually the linearized forms are used but the problem of uncontrolled error propagation arises from data transformation and hence incorrect calibration. Nonlinear regression analysis is therefore used in this paper. The results of erroneous transformation according to Lineweaver-Burk and to Eadie are compared with the results of non-linear regression by means of three sets of measured data or data given in the literature.     

On the problem of the purity of solvents in HPTLC

Summary The influence of stabilizers (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and hydroquinone) and impurities in solvents on the reproducibility of the quantitative stability-indicating determination of mebeverine hydrochloride by means of high-performance thin-layer chromatography is reported.     

Electrochemical immunoassay using magnetic beads for the determination of zearalenone in baby food: An anticipated analytical tool for food safety

In this work, electrochemical immunoassay involving magnetic beads to determine zearalenone in selected food samples has been developed. The immunoassay scheme has been based on a direct competitive immunoassay method in which antibody-coated magnetic beads were employed as the immobilisation support and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used as enzymatic label. Amperometric detection has been achieved through the addition of hydrogen peroxide substrate and hydroquinone as mediator.Analytical performance of the electrochemical immunoassay has been evaluated by analysis of maize certified reference material (CRM) and selected baby food samples. A detection limit (LOD) of 0.011 μg L⁻¹ and EC₅₀ 0.079 μg L⁻¹ were obtained allowing the assessment of the detection of zearalenone mycotoxin. In addition, an excellent accuracy with a high recovery yield ranging between 95 and 108% has been obtained. The analytical features have shown the proposed electrochemical immunoassay to be a very powerful and timely screening tool for the food safety scene.     

Theory of reflectance measurements in quantitative evaluation in TLC and HPTLC. 1. Multilayer model of reflectance and transmittance

In the approach described in this paper, the layer of adsorbent is divided into n sublayers. The radiation density in each sublayer is given by the sum of the transmittance and the reflectance of the adjacent sublayers. Absorption of light by the layer or the substance will diminish this radiation density. Depending upon the factors of reflectance and transmittance some light will pass to the adjacent sublayers. Two polynomials are derived from this readily understood formulation to calculate the reflectance or the transmittance of a layer of finite thickness. The algorithms given describe the reflectance and transmittance encountered in practical measurements with large amounts of substance per spot, as well as with small amounts. There are no restrictions with respect to nonideal scattering or reflection by the adsorbent layer support.     

Separation and Determination of Nitroguanidine and Guanidine Nitrate by HPTLC

High-performance thin-layer chromatography has been used for separation and quantification of nitroguanidine and guanidine nitrate, for online and off-line quality control of synthesis. The compounds were separated on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ layers with dioxane–tetrahydrofuran 1:1 (v/v), as mobile phase. UV detection was performed at 210 and 265 nm for guanidine nitrate and nitroguanidine, respectively. Quantitative analysis was performed by absorbance densitometry and use of peak area. Validation was performed taking into consideration the special features of the method.     

A novel approach to the qualitative and quantitative assay of HPTLC plates: Second and fourth derivative recording of spectrophotodensitograms

One of the limitations due to lack of resolution for a given pair of analytes in TLC or HPTLC is the need to optimize the system. In Practice this requires time, rerunning of the sample in different developing solvents, and a great deal of expertise on the part of the analyst. In our experience, application of first and second derivative recording techniques to HPTLC facilitates and speeds the whole process, permitting qualitative and quantitative assay of most unresolved spots. Consequently, we have now extended our instrumental capabilities to fourth derivative measurements. For this purpose, we have added a homemade electronic unit in series with the one previously used for first and second order derivatives. Thus, we have been able to evaluate the potential advantages of higher order derivatives for HPTLC analysis of unresolved components in various pharmaceutical products. A comparison of second and fourth order derivative measurements of seriously overlapping HPTLC components in a sample of preservatives used in the pharmaceutical industry suggests that the lower order derivatives might be a better choice in view of the higher accuracy and precision of the corresponding data. This is supported by the results of other applications, such as the assay of a commercial colorant, and a syrup formulation. The observed lack of precision of fourth order measurements stems from the fact that although the second and higher order derivatives produce narrower bandwidths, thus contributing to improved resolution, the signal to noise ratio decreases and satellite peak interactions increase, thus rendering correct discrimination of the fine structural detail of overlapping components more difficult.     

Comparison of alternative and conventional extraction techniques for the determination of zearalenone in corn

Naturally contaminated corn samples of different origin were extracted using two conventional techniques (blending and shaking) and three alternative approaches (ultrasonic extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction). Use of the same extraction mixture for all trials enabled the efficiency of the various extraction techniques to be compared. Extracts were filtered and directly analyzed by LC–ESI–MS, without further clean-up. The yield from the alternative extraction techniques showed efficiency to be higher than for conventional techniques. In particular, microwave-assisted extraction was slightly superior to other techniques.     

Production of a calibrant certified reference material for determination of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone

Several previous interlaboratory studies in the field of mycotoxin analysis have revealed considerable problems, apparent as high between-laboratory standard deviations, or rather non-comparable and non-traceable results. A major reason is lack of proper calibrants for external calibration. Public awareness of substances that mimic or interfere with the activity of natural hormones (endocrine disrupters) has led to increased interest in mycotoxins with estrogenic potential, e.g. zearalenone (ZON). During a large-scale standard measurement and testing (SMT) project of the European Commission (EC) dealing with the preparation and certification of reference materials for determination of the mycotoxin ZON in maize, a ZON calibrant in acetonitrile was prepared and intensively checked for purity, homogeneity, and stability. Preparation of the material, study of its homogeneity and stability, and characterisation of the calibrant on the basis of its preparation, with discussion of the results obtained, are described in this paper. The certified value of 9.95 µg mL^–1 for ZON in acetonitrile and its corresponding expanded uncertainty of ±0.30 µg mL^–1 were calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM).