[Comparison of several fluorescence HPLC methods for fumonisin analysis]

Fumonisin has no particular cromophore groups in its chemical structure applicable for trace analysis, and therefore requires derivatization prior to measurement. Currently, the analysis of fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2) is generally carried out after derivatizing FB1 mainly with o-phthalaldehyde to make a fluorescent compound (OPA-F). The OPA-F is, however, not sufficiently stable for precise analysis, and we have thus examined other fluorescent derivatives including fluorescamine, FMOC, NBD-F and DBD-F. The analytical method using FMOC as fluorescent agent required column chromatography after the derivatizing reaction, while reaction of FB1 with fluorescamine gave two chromatographic peaks. FMOC and fluorescamine are accordingly not desirable as fluorescent agents for analysis of small quantities of FB1 and FB2 in foods. In conclusion, for precise analysis of such trace amounts of FB1 and FB2, NBD-F or DBD-F should be used as fluorescent agents.