Analysis of Mycotoxins

Importance of Topic

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that frequently contaminate grain products. Their ingestion poses serious health hazards for humans and animals. Reliable and efficient screening methods for multiple mycotoxins support food safety monitoring and regulatory compliance.

Aims and Overview

This application note evaluates a fast reversed phase liquid chromatography method using a Shim pack GIST C18 column to separate and detect ten common mycotoxins in grain products. The target analytes include aflatoxins B1 B2 G1 G2 M1, zearalenone ochratoxin A, nivalenol deoxynivalenol and patulin. The study demonstrates simultaneous multi-toxin screening with high sensitivity.

Methodology

The separation employs gradient elution with a three phase mobile system consisting of sodium phosphate buffer at pH 2.5 acetonitrile and methanol. A Shim pack GIST C18 column 75 mm length and 3.0 mm inner diameter with 2 μm particle size is operated at 55 °C and 1.0 mL per minute flow rate. Injection volume is 10 μL.

Used Instrumentation

• Liquid chromatography system equipped with three dimensional detector and fluorescence module
• Shim pack GIST C18 analytical column 75 mm × 3.0 mm I D 2 μm
• Fluorescence detector configured for excitation and emission wavelengths suited to aflatoxins and ochratoxin A
• Photodiode array detector channels set at 220 nm and 276 nm for trichothecenes and patulin

Main Results and Discussion

All ten mycotoxins were baseline separated within a single run. Detection limits ranged from low sub-microgram per liter levels for aflatoxins to milligram per liter for trichothecenes. Fluorescence detection provided high selectivity for aflatoxins and ochratoxin A while UV detection enabled quantitation of nivalenol deoxynivalenol and patulin. The method exhibited excellent linearity and reproducibility supporting reliable quantification.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Simultaneous screening of multiple mycotoxins reduces analysis time and resource use
• Compatibility with common LC detectors supports implementation in quality control laboratories
• Robust separation and detection improves confidence in food safety testing

Future Trends and Potential Uses

Advances in column technology and coupling with mass spectrometry could further lower detection limits and extend the range of target toxins. Integration of automated sample preparation and online data processing with artificial intelligence algorithms will enhance throughput and predictive risk assessment. Applications may expand to complex matrices beyond cereals.

Conclusion

The described LC method using Shim pack GIST C18 delivers a powerful tool for rapid and sensitive multi-mycotoxin screening in grain products. Its ease of adoption and strong performance make it valuable for routine monitoring and compliance testing.

Reference

Application News L512 Shimadzu Corporation December 2021