Fast and sensitive LC-MS/MS method measuring human mycotoxin exposure using biomarkers in urine

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Toxicology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Mycotoxin exposure is a significant public health concern.
• Accurate measurement of mycotoxin biomarkers in human samples is crucial for exposure assessment.
• Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Ochratoxin A (OTA) are common food contaminants with known toxic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a direct, fast, and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for measuring multiple mycotoxin exposure biomarkers in human urine.
• To assess the exposure levels of Belgian volunteers to deoxynivalenol and its metabolites, Ochratoxin A, and Citrinin.
• To compare the prevalence and levels of different mycotoxin biomarkers in the study population.

Main Methods:

• Development of a direct, fast, and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method.
• Quantitative and semi-quantitative analysis of 32 mycotoxin biomarkers in 32 human urine samples.
• Confirmation of Ochratoxin A and Citrinin presence using immunoaffinity column cleanup followed by LC-MS/MS.

Main Results:

• Deoxynivalenol-15-glucuronide was detected in all urine samples (ng/mL range).
• Deoxynivalenol-3-glucuronide and de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol-glucuronide were found in 90% and 25% of samples, respectively.
• Ochratoxin A was detected in 70% of samples (pg/mL range), and Citrinin/dihydrocitrinone in 90% of samples (pg/mL range).
• Deoxynivalenol glucuronides were identified as the primary biomarkers for deoxynivalenol exposure.

Conclusions:

• Deoxynivalenol glucuronides are the major urinary biomarkers for deoxynivalenol exposure in the studied population.
• Human exposure to Citrinin appears to be more prevalent than previously recognized.
• Co-exposure to nephrotoxic mycotoxins Ochratoxin A and Citrinin warrants further investigation due to potential synergistic health risks.