Stability Evaluation of Aflatoxin B₁ Solution Certified Reference Material via Ultra-High Performance Liquid...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Chemical Metrology

Background:

• Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) certified reference materials (CRMs) are essential for quantifying AFB1 contamination in food and agricultural products.
• Evaluating the stability of AFB1 solution CRMs across different matrices is vital for their reliable application in measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the stability of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) solution CRMs under various conditions.
• To elucidate the degradation products and pathways of AFB1 solutions using advanced analytical techniques.

Main Methods:

• Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was employed.
• AFB1 solutions were subjected to different temperature and UV light exposure conditions.
• Degradation products were analyzed to determine degradation pathways.

Main Results:

• High temperatures and UV light irradiation significantly accelerated the degradation of AFB1 solutions.
• Degradation product profiles were dependent on the solvent used.
• Two major degradation pathways involving addition, oxidation, and methoxy group modification were proposed.
• Acetonitrile solutions of AFB1 demonstrated good stability when stored below 60°C and protected from UV light.

Conclusions:

• Understanding AFB1 degradation is critical for ensuring the integrity of reference materials.
• Proper storage conditions, specifically avoiding high temperatures and UV light, are necessary to maintain the property value of AFB1 solutions.
• The findings provide valuable insights for the appropriate handling and storage of AFB1 CRMs in analytical laboratories.