Detection of mycotoxins in cheese using an optimized analytical method based on a QuEChERS extraction and UHPLC-MS/MS...

Area of Science:

• Food safety
• Analytical chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Mycotoxins pose significant health risks to humans.
• Accurate detection of mycotoxins in food is crucial for public health.
• Cheese is a common food product susceptible to mycotoxin contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reliable method for quantifying 32 mycotoxins in cheese.
• To assess the occurrence of mycotoxins in commercial cheese samples.
• To evaluate potential health risks associated with mycotoxin levels in cheese.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction process.
• Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for detection and quantification.
• Validation of the method for linearity, sensitivity, matrix effect, accuracy, and precision in four cheese varieties.

Main Results:

• The UHPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated satisfactory precision and accuracy, with recoveries exceeding 70% for most mycotoxins.
• Analysis of 38 commercial cheese samples revealed high occurrences of beauvericin and enniatins (31-100%).
• Ochratoxin A was detected in three samples at concentrations potentially posing a risk to human health.

Conclusions:

• A robust and validated UHPLC-MS/MS method enables reliable mycotoxin quantification in cheese.
• Beauvericin and enniatins are prevalent contaminants in commercial cheese.
• The presence of ochratoxin A in some cheeses warrants attention due to potential health implications.