Quantitative Analysis of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Food Matrices and Plant-Derived Samples Using UHPLC-MS/MS

Area of Science:

• Food Safety
• Analytical Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are toxic compounds found in food and herbal medicines.
• Their hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic properties necessitate robust monitoring for public health.
• Current detection methods require optimization for sensitivity and accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for PA detection.
• To analyze PA contamination in susceptible food matrices: tea, honey, and milk.
• To assess the method's applicability in real-world food safety surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Development of an optimized UHPLC-MS/MS technique for separating and quantifying PAs.
• Determination of method performance characteristics including limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs).
• Validation of precision (RSDs) and accuracy (recoveries) across different food matrices.

Main Results:

• The UHPLC-MS/MS method achieved low LODs (0.015-0.75 µg/kg) and LOQs (0.05-2.5 µg/kg).
• High recovery rates (64.5-112.2%) confirmed method accuracy in honey, milk, and tea.
• PA contamination was detected in 23 out of 77 analyzed samples, with herbal medicines showing the highest levels.

Conclusions:

• The developed UHPLC-MS/MS method is reliable, repeatable, and stable for PA detection in food and plant-derived samples.
• This analytical approach provides crucial technical support for ongoing food safety risk assessment.
• The findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring for PAs in the food supply chain.