Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Coupled with LC-MS/MS for the Analysis of Two...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Chemistry
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Ochratoxins are common mycotoxins found in capsicum, necessitating reliable detection methods.
• Traditional methods for mycotoxin determination in spices face challenges in efficiency and environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an innovative, eco-friendly method for ochratoxin determination in capsicum.
• To apply deep eutectic solvent (DES) based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with LC-MS/MS for enhanced mycotoxin analysis.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of DES type (thymol:decanoic acid), DES volume, water volume, and salt concentration for DLLME.
• Utilized LC-MS/MS for sensitive and accurate quantification of ochratoxins.
• Incorporated isotopic internal standards to mitigate matrix effects in capsicum samples.

Main Results:

• Achieved a linear range of 0.50-250.00 µg/mL with correlation coefficients (r²) > 0.9995.
• Demonstrated low limits of detection (0.14-0.45 μg/kg) and quantification (0.45-1.45 μg/kg).
• Obtained high spiked recoveries (81.97-105.17%), confirming method accuracy and sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed DES-DLLME-LC-MS/MS method is sensitive, accurate, and eco-friendly for ochratoxin determination in capsicum.
• This approach aligns with green analytical chemistry principles, offering a sustainable alternative for mycotoxin analysis in food matrices.
• The study contributes to improved food safety by providing a novel method for detecting mycotoxins in spices.