[Validation of the Patulin Analysis in Apple Juice Using the Antibiotic Analytical Method]

Area of Science:

• Food Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Mycotoxins and antibiotics share microbial origins and chemical similarities.
• Existing antibiotic testing methods may be adaptable for mycotoxin analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a method for analyzing patulin in apple juice.
• To adapt an analytical method used for the antibiotic oxytetracycline for mycotoxin detection.

Main Methods:

• Method validation using recovery tests at 0.05 ppm.
• Evaluation of trueness, repeatability (RSDr), and within-laboratory reproducibility (RSDwR).
• Analysis of clarified and cloudy apple juice samples.

Main Results:

• Sufficient recovery rates of 91% (clarified) and 86% (cloudy) apple juice.
• High precision with RSDr ≤ 4% and RSDwR ≤ 4%.
• Limit of detection below 0.01 ppm with no interfering peaks observed.

Conclusions:

• The adapted method is suitable for analyzing patulin in apple juice.
• This approach offers a reliable way to inspect for residual patulin.
• The method demonstrates good selectivity, recovery, and precision.