Determination of aflatoxins in rice samples by ultrasound-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion

This work describes the application of ultrasound-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion as an extraction and sample preparation approach for aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) and subsequent determination of them by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. A Box-Behnken design in combination with response surface methodology was used to determine the affecting parameters on the extraction procedure. The influence of different variables including type of dispersing phase, sample-to-dispersing phase ratio, type and quantity of clean-up phase, ultrasonication time, ultrasonication temperature, nature and volume of the elution solvent was investigated in the optimization study. C18, primary-secondary amine (PSA) and acetonitrile were selected as dispersing phase, clean-up phase and elution solvent, respectively. The obtained optimized values were sample-to-dispersing phase ratio of 1 : 1, 60 mg of PSA, 11 min ultrasonication time, 30°C ultrasonication temperature and 4 mL acetonitrile. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection were ranged from 0.09 to 0.14 ng g(-1) and the precisions [relative standard deviation (RSD%)] were <8.6%. The recoveries of the matrix solid-phase dispersion process ranged from 78 to 83% with RSD <10% in all cases. Finally, this method was successfully applied to the extraction of trace amounts of aflatoxins in rice samples.