Determination of zearalenone in corn: collaborative study

Corn samples spiked at levels of 100, 300, 1000, and 2000 mug zearalenone/kg were sent to 22 collaborators for analysis by the Eppley method. All samples were yellow corn except one white corn sample spiked at 2000 mug/kg. Results from 16 collaborators were statistically analyzed. Only 4 of 16 collaborators detected zearalenone in the sample containing 100 mu/kg, but 11 detected the toxin in the sample containing 300 mug/kg. Average recoveries from all samples were 129% at 300 mug/kg, 101% at 1000 mug/kg, and 88% at 2000 mug/kg. The between-laboratory coefficients of variation were 53.0% at 300 mug/kg, 38.2% at 1000 mug/kg, and 27.0% at 2000 mug/kg. Five naturally contaminated corn samples, one in triplicate, were also provided. The mean level of zearalenone in the naturally contaminated samples ranged from 431 to 7622 mug/kg. The mean coefficient of variation for all samples was 40.5%. Two collaborators measured quantities of zearalenone on thin layer chromatographic plates densitometrically. Their results were not included in the statistical analysis, but the results indicated that densitometric measurement, given proper dilutions of solutions, could be used. The method has been adopted as official first action.