UHPLC-ToF-MS method for determination of multi-mycotoxins in maize: Development and validation

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Mycotoxins in maize pose significant risks to human and animal health.
• European Union regulations set strict Maximum Levels (ML) for mycotoxins in food commodities like maize.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a sensitive analytical method for quantifying nine key mycotoxins in maize.
• To assess the prevalence and levels of mycotoxins in Portuguese maize samples.

Main Methods:

• Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography combined with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ToF-MS).
• A two-step extraction procedure using 80% acetonitrile.
• Method validation according to European Commission Regulation (EC) no. 401/2006.

Main Results:

• The UHPLC-ToF-MS method demonstrated good repeatability (%RSDr ≤ 15.4%) and reproducibility (%RSD_R ≤ 15.9%).
• Recovery rates ranged from 77.8% to 110.4%, meeting regulatory performance criteria.
• Fumonisins were the most frequently detected mycotoxins in the analyzed maize samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed UHPLC-ToF-MS method is suitable for routine monitoring of mycotoxins in maize.
• Mycotoxin levels in the studied Portuguese maize samples were below the established European Maximum Levels.
• This method aids in ensuring food safety and compliance with regulatory standards.