High-performance liquid chromatographic screening method for mycotoxins using new retention indexes and diode array...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Mycology

Background:

• Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that contaminate food and feed.
• Accurate and efficient methods for mycotoxin detection are crucial for public health and regulatory compliance.
• Existing analytical methods may lack the scope or efficiency for comprehensive mycotoxin screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a robust reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) screening method for the determination of a wide range of mycotoxins.
• To establish a reliable retention index scale using a novel homologous series of internal standards for improved mycotoxin characterization.
• To demonstrate the applicability of the method for analyzing diverse mycotoxin classes including trichothecenes, aflatoxins, and others.

Main Methods:

• Development of a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method utilizing a linear gradient elution with an acetonitrile/water solvent system.
• Characterization of mycotoxins based on retention indexes and on-line UV spectra obtained using a diode array detector (DAD).
• Implementation of a new homologous series of 1-[4-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-1-alkanones (D-compounds) as internal standards for the retention index scale.

Main Results:

• The developed RP-HPLC method successfully determined retention indexes for a broad spectrum of mycotoxins with varying polarities and chemical structures.
• The D-compound internal standards provided a reliable basis for the retention index scale, facilitating mycotoxin identification.
• The study included the analysis of multiple trichothecenes (Group A and B), aflatoxins, sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, citrinin, and patulin.

Conclusions:

• A versatile RP-HPLC screening method has been established for the simultaneous determination of numerous mycotoxins.
• The use of D-compounds as internal standards enhances the accuracy and reliability of mycotoxin identification via retention indexes.
• This method offers a valuable tool for routine mycotoxin analysis in food safety and quality control.