Liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk

The official AOAC method for aflatoxin M1 in milk was modified by replacing cellulose column chromatography with cartridge chromatographic cleanup and replacing thin layer chromatographic (TLC) determination with liquid chromatographic (LC) quantitation to yield a new method for bovine and porcine milk. An acetone extract of milk is treated with lead acetate and defatted with hexane, and M1 is partitioned into chloroform as in the AOAC method. Chloroform is removed by evaporation under a stream of nitrogen at 50 degrees C. The residue is dissolved in chloroform, the vessel is rinsed with hexane, and the 2 solutions are applied in sequence to a hexane-activated silica Sep-Pak cartridge. Less polar impurities are removed with hexane-ethyl ether, and M1 is eluted with chloroform-methanol, and determined by C18 reverse phase LC using fluorescence detection. Recoveries of M1 added to bovine milk at 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 ng/mL were 90.8, 93.4, and 94.1%, respectively. The limit of detection was less than 0.1 ng M1/mL for both bovine and porcine milk.     

Rapid reverse phase liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk

A rapid, economical, and reliable liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk. The method includes an improved AOAC extraction procedure, cleanup of the extract on a silica cartridge, and LC quantitation. Alternatively, a rapid column cleanup procedure can be used. Milk artificially spiked with aflatoxin M1 at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 ppb was analyzed using both new approaches as well as an AOAC method coupled with LC for quantitation of the toxin. Recovery of aflatoxin M1 by the first approach of the new method ranged between 93.4 and 99.1%, and for the alternative procedure between 92.4 and 96.8%. The AOAC method gave lower recovery (85.6-90.7%) of toxin, but the results from this method had a somewhat smaller standard deviation for replicate analyses than did results of the new method.     

Direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determining aflatoxin M1 at picogram levels in dairy products

Protocols for detecting picogram quantities of aflatoxin M1 in dairy products were established. Milk samples were subjected to a reverse phase Sep-Pak C18 cartridge treatment before analysis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to previously published procedures. M1 in yogurt, brick cheddar, and ripened Brie cheese was extracted by a modified Pons method, subjected to a normal phase silica cartridge treatment, and analyzed by ELISA. The detection limits for M1 in milk, yogurt, cheddar, and Brie were 10, 10, 50, and 25 ppt (ng/kg), respectively. Recovery for M1 added to these products was in the range 70-110%. Good agreement was found for M1 levels in several naturally contaminated milk samples analyzed by both ELISA and liquid chromatography.     

Interactive effects of duration of storage and addition of formaldehyde on levels of aflatoxin M1 in milk

Spray-dried skim milk, naturally contaminated with aflatoxin M1, was added to either raw or pasteurized whole milk to a final concentration of 1.1 microgram aflatoxin M1/L milk. Formalin (37% w/w) was added to the milk solutions to final concentrations of 0, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1% formaldehyde. Samples were stored in the dark at 21 degrees C in plastic and glass containers and were analyzed for aflatoxin M1 at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. This experiment was repeated using only raw milk and glass containers. Aflatoxin M1 analyses were done at 0, 1, and 2 weeks. Aflatoxin M1 losses increased over time and with increased formaldehyde concentration. With both experiments, aflatoxin M1, levels after 2 weeks were less than 0.05 micrograms/L in samples containing 0.1% formaldehyde.     

Reverse phase liquid chromatographic determination and confirmation of aflatoxin M1 in cheese

A systematic method is proposed for determination and confirmation of aflatoxin M1 in cheese by liquid chromatography (LC). A sample of cheese is extracted with chloroform, cleaned up on 2 silica gel columns followed by a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, and chromatographed on a 5 microns octadecyl silica column with fluorometric detection. The sample extract or standard is treated with n-hexane-trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) (4 + 1) for 30 min at 40 degrees C. Analysis by LC with TFA-treatment of the extract provides quantitative data. Multiple assays of 5 samples of Gouda cheese spiked with aflatoxin M1 at levels of 0.5, 0.1, and 0.05 ng/g showed average recoveries of 93.2, 91.6, and 92.4%, with coefficients of variation of 2.63, 3.97, and 4.52%, respectively. Assay of 5 naturally contaminated cheeses resulted in 0.051-0.448 ng/g of aflatoxin M1. Limit of quantitation is about 0.01 ng/g. The identity of aflatoxin M1 is confirmed by treating aflatoxin M1 or the M2a derivative with TFA-methanol (or ethanol) (3 + 1). The TFA-methanol reaction products of M2a could be detected quantitatively.     

Comparison of radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determining aflatoxin M1 in milk

Using a highly specific antibody against aflatoxin M1, a radioimmunoassay (RIA) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were developed for the quantitation of M1 in milk. RIA was sensitive in the range of 5-50 ng per assay but was subject to interference by whole milk. Extraction and cleanup were therefore necessary for the detection of M1 in milk at 0.5 ng/mL. An ELISA procedure was developed by using an aflatoxin M1-carboxymethyl-horseradish peroxidase conjugate as the ligand. Competitive assays revealed that this system was relatively more sensitive for M1 than for B1, and had a much lower degree of cross-reactivity for aflatoxins B2, G1, G2, B2a, and aflatoxicol. As low as 0.25 ng M1/mL in artificially contaminated milk (raw, whole, skim) could be detected by ELISA in 3 h without extraction or cleanup. Because of its simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity, ELISA is the preferred method for monitoring aflatoxin M1 in milk.     

Sample preparation and liquid chromatographic determination of vitamin D in food products

Vitamin D in different fortified foods is determined by using liquid chromatography (LC). Sample preparation is described for fortified skim milk, infant formulas, chocolate drink powder, and diet food. The procedure involves 2 main steps: saponification of the sample followed by extraction, and quantitation by LC analysis. Depending on the sample matrix, additional steps are necessary, i.e., enzymatic digestion for hydrolyzing the starch in the sample and cartridge purification before LC injection. An isocratic system consisting of 0.5% water in methanol (v/v) on two 5 microns ODS Hypersil, 12 X 0.4 cm id columns is used. Recovery of vitamin D added to unfortified skim milk is 98%. The results of vitamin D determination in homogenized skim milk, fortified milk powder, fortified milk powder with soybean, chocolate drink powder, and sports diet food are given.     

Fluorimetric determination of aflatoxin M1 in cheese

A simple and sensitive method is proposed for the determination of aflatoxin M1 in cheese. The ground cheese sample is extracted with acetone-water (3 + 1). Acetone is evaporated under vacuum, and the aqueous phase is passed through a C18 disposable cartridge. After the cartridge is washed with acetonitrile-water (1 + 9), the toxin is eluted with acetonitrile. The extract is then cleaned up on a silica cartridge. Final analysis is performed by 2-dimensional thin layer chromatography (TLC) combined with fluorodensitometry or by liquid chromatography on a reverse phase C18 column with fluorescence detection. Recovery is greater than 90%, and the coefficient of variation is 6% or less. The detection limit is in the range of 10 ng/kg. The identity of aflatoxin M1 is confirmed by formation of the M2a or acetyl-M1 derivative and rechromatography.     

Improved liquid chromatographic determination of riboflavin in milk and dairy products

Reported here is a simple liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the determination of riboflavin in milk (liquid, evaporated, and dry), yogurt, and cheese. The method involves passing liquid samples or filtrates of semisolid and solid samples through a C18 cartridge. Retained riboflavin is then eluted with an aliquot of 50% methanol in 0.02M acetate buffer of pH 4. A volume of the eluate is injected into the LC system consisting of a C18 column, a solvent of water-methanol-acetic acid (65 + 35 + 0.1, v/v) with a flow rate of 1 mL/min, and a UV detector set at 270 nm. The method is precise and accurate and compares favorably with the present AOAC method. Moreover, it involves fewer sample preparation steps and has a total analysis time of less than 1 h.     

Optimum conditions for formation of aflatoxin M1-trifluoroacetic acid derivative

Because thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) confirmation of identity and reverse-phase liquid chromatographic (LC) determination with fluorescence detection of aflatoxin M1 both require the derivative formed in the reaction of M1 and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), various reaction conditions were studied to obtain complete derivative formation. Of the various organic solvents tested, the reaction between M1 and TFA proceeded best in the nonpolar solvents hexane and isooctane. Other parameters investigated were reaction temperature and time, aflatoxin M1 concentration, and solvent volume. The following procedure is considered optimum: 200 microL each of hexane and trifluoroacetic acid are mixed with M1 standard in a silylated glass vial or with milk residue in a regular glass vial with a Teflon-lined screw cap and heated 10 min at 40 degrees C. The mixture is evaporated to dryness under N2, and the derivative is saved for TLC or LC. No unreacted aflatoxin M1 was detected by reverse-phase LC after this procedure was incorporated for analysis of milk samples.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of desfuroylceftiofur metabolite of ceftiofur as residue in cattle plasma

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method has been developed for the determination of the desfuroylceftiofur metabolite of ceftiofur as a residue in the plasma of animals. Plasma sample in 0.1M pH 8.7 phosphate buffer containing dithioerythritol is incubated under nitrogen for 15 min at 50 degrees C. The sample is centrifuged, charged to a C18 cartridge, and washed with 0.1M ammonium acetate. The desfuroylceftiofur residue on the cartridge is derivatized by adding 0.1M ammonium acetate containing iodoacetamide and letting the cartridge stand in the dark for 30 min. The cartridge is then drained and rinsed, and the desfuroylceftiofur acetamide is eluted with methanol. The mixture is evaporated to dryness, dissolved in pH 10.6 sodium hydroxide, and charged to a SAX cartridge. The derivative is eluted with 2% acetic acid, reduced in volume, and dissolved in mobile phase for liquid chromatography. The LC system includes a C8 column and guard cartridge with UV detection at 254 nm. The gradient mobile phase (flow rate 1 mL/min) is 0.01M pH 5 ammonium acetate programmed to 29% methanol-water (60 + 40) in 25 min. Recoveries were 90-100% with a sensitivity of 0.1 ppm or less. The procedure has been applied to the plasma of cattle, rats, horses, pigs, and dogs.     

Rapid liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins M1 and M2 in artificially contaminated fluid milks: collaborative study

An international collaborative study involving 14 collaborators from 5 different countries was conducted to test a rapid liquid chromatographic (LC) method for detecting aflatoxins M1 and M2 in fluid milk. Each collaborator prepared artificially contaminated milk samples (0.078-1.31 ng M1/mL and 0.030-0.13 ng M2/mL) by adding solutions containing various concentrations of aflatoxins M1 and M2 to fresh milk. Recoveries ranged from 85.2 to 102.5% (av. 93.7%) for aflatoxin M1 and from 99.5 to 126.7% (av. 109.8%) for aflatoxin M2. Coefficients of variation averaged 21.4% (M1) and 35.9% (M2). An analysis of variance was calculated from combined data to determine variance components. The within-laboratory variations (So) (repeatability) were 27.9% (M1) and 23.9% (M2), and the among-laboratory variations (Sx) (reproducibility) were 44.5% (M1) and 64.7% (M2). No visual differences were determined between normal or reverse phase LC for contaminated samples; however, there were an insufficient number of collaborators using normal phase to give meaningful separate statistical data. For 26 observations of uncontaminated milk, 3 false M1 positives were reported for normal phase LC determinations and 2 false M1 positives were reported for reverse phase LC determinations. Three normal phase and 11 reverse phase false M2 positives were reported for 104 observations in uncontaminated milk. The reverse phase LC method for determination of aflatoxins M1 and M2 in fluid milk has been adopted official first action.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of cephapirin residues in milk

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for quantitative determination of cephapirin residues in milk that also resolved cephapirin from ampicillin, cloxacillin, and penicillin G. Diluted milk was passed through a C18 cartridge on which the cephapirin was adsorbed; then, interfering material was removed by washing with water and methylene chloride and cephapirin residues were eluted with methanol-acetonitrile (25 + 75). After drying, residues were dissolved in the mobile phase for injection. The LC system had an ultrasphere-ODS column with RP-18 Spheri-10 guard column and a UV detector with a 254 nm filter. The mobile phase was 85% sodium acetate (0.01M) and 15% methanol-acetonitrile (25 + 75) with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Sensitivity was 20 ppb or less with a recovery of 61-80% in the range studied. Other beta-lactam antibiotics tested did not interfere with detection of cephapirin. Analysis of 30 samples of commercial homogenized milk obtained for a survey of antibiotics in consumer milk in Canada revealed no detectable cephapirin residues.     

Rapid high pressure liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxin M1 in milk and nonfat dry milk

A modification of the current revised AOAC method, 26.A10-26.A15, is described for the rapid analysis of aflatoxin M1 in milk and nonfat dry milk. The method incorporates chloroform extraction and eliminates the need for column chromatography by using liquid-liquid partition for sample extract cleanup. Quantitation is carried out by using fluorescence detection combined with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) of aflatoxin M1 which has been converted to aflatoxin M2a with trifluoroacetic acid. The method has a detection limit of 0.014 micrograms/L (2 X signal/noise) for whole milk. For 6 samples of naturally contaminated nonfat dry and freeze-dried milk, the modified method gave an average result of 0.698 micrograms/L; the AOAC method gave an average result of 0.386 micrograms/L.     

Liquid chromatographic cleanup and determination of low levels of vitamin D3 in sheep plasma

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for the determination of vitamin D3 in sheep plasma. Samples are extracted by one of 2 different methods, depending on the concentration of vitamin D3. The samples are purified by using either a Sep-Pak silica cartridge or a small alumina column, followed by additional cleanup on a Metalsorb LC column. Final analysis was carried out on a 5 micron C18 column using a radial compression separation system with an acetonitrile-methanol solvent system. Vitamin D3 was completely resolved from any interfering compounds in the plasma; total run time was less than 15 min, using a variable wavelength detector set at 264 nm. The method was successfully applied to samples at levels of 1-10 ng added vitamin D3 mL sheep plasma, with recoveries in the range 90-97%.     

Simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol and aflatoxin M1 residues in milk by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A reliable, rapid, and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol and aflatoxin M(1) in milk has been developed. This method includes simple extraction of sample with acetonitrile, separation on a MGIII-C(18) column using 5 mM ammonium acetate aqueous solution/methanol (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase, and MS/MS detection using multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.05 μg/kg for chloramphenicol and 0.005 μg/kg for aflatoxin M(1.) The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.2 μg/kg for chloramphenicol and 0.02 μg/kg for aflatoxin M(1). The recovery values ranged from 88.8% to 100.6%, with relative standard deviation lower than 15% in all cases, when samples were fortified at three different concentrations. The decision limits (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) of the method were also reported. This method has been successfully applied for simultaneous analysis of chloramphenicol and aflatoxin M(1) residues in milk from local supermarkets in China.     

Determination of ochratoxin A in animal feed and cereal grains by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for determination of ochratoxin A in animal feeds and cereal grains. Samples are initially extracted with chloroform-ethanol (8 + 2) and 5% acetic acid in water. Extracts are purified using a silica gel cartridge followed by a cyano cartridge. The samples are evaporated, diluted to a known volume, and analyzed using a 10 cm column of 3 micron C18 and a fluorescence detector. The method was applied to a variety of animal feeds and cereal grains at levels of 1.0-0.005 ppm added ochratoxin A. The overall recovery was 90.6% +/- 3.6.     

Determination and confirmation of 5-hydroxyflunixin in raw bovine milk using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A method was developed and validated to determine 5-hydroxyflunixin in raw bovine milk using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The mean recovery and percentage coefficient of variation (%CV) of 35 determinations for 5-hydroxyflunixin was 101% (5% CV). The theoretical limit of detection was 0.2 ppb with a validated lower limit of quantitation of 1 ppb and an upper limit of 150 ppb. Accuracy, precision, linearity, specificity, ruggedness, and storage stability were demonstrated. A LC/MS/MS confirmatory method using the extraction steps of the determinative method was developed and validated for 5-hydroxyflunixin in milk from cattle. Briefly, the determinative and confirmatory methods were based on an initial solvent (acetone/ethyl acetate) precipitation/extraction of acidified whole milk. The solvent precipitation/extraction effectively removed incurred ((14)C) residues from milk samples. The organic extract was then purified by solid phase extraction (SPE) using a strong cation exchange cartridge (sulfonic acid). The final SPE-purified sample was analyzed using LC/MS/MS. The methods are rapid, sensitive, and selective and provide for the determination and confirmation of 5-hydroxyflunixin at the 1 and 2 ppb levels, respectively.     

Determination of novobiocin residues in milk, blood, and tissues by liquid chromatography

Residues of novobiocin in milk, blood, and tissues can be detected by microbiological tests but cannot be distinguished from other antibiotics. A simple liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for identification of residues. Tissues were blended and milk and blood serum were mixed with 0.2M NH4H2PO4. The mixture was deproteinized by adding aqueous methanol and filtering. The LC apparatus consisted of a variable wavelength detector, set at 340 nm, an automatic loop injector, and a C18 column with guard cartridge. The flow rate was 1 mL/min and the solvent mixture of 0.01M H3PO4-acetonitrile-methanol was programmed from 50 + 0 + 50 (0-1 min) to 20 + 80 + 0 (20 min). Novobiocin was concentrated directly by solid-phase extraction on the analytical column. Five or more 200 microL aliquots of the filtrate in water-methanol (1 + 1) (adjusted if necessary) were injected with the column solvent at 50 + 0 + 50. After the final injection, the program was run to completion. Recoveries were 90-100% with sensitivities of 0.05 ppm or less. The procedure should be adaptable for use with formulations and feeds.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins in feedstuffs containing citrus pulp

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for the determination of aflatoxins in feedstuffs containing citrus pulp. The feed-stuff sample is extracted with chloroform, followed by Sep-Pak Florisil cartridge cleanup and Sep-Pak C18 cartridge cleanup. The final eluate (water-acetone, 85 + 15, v/v) is submitted to reverse-phase liquid chromatography with water-methanol-acetonitrile (130 + 70 + 40, v/v/v) as mobile phase and postcolumn derivatization with iodine. Citrus components are removed from the extract efficiently. The limit of detection for aflatoxin B1 is less than 1 microgram/kg. Other aflatoxins can also be detected and measured. Recoveries of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 for dairy rations spiked at 13, 5, 10, and 4 micrograms/kg were 87, 86, 81, and 82%, respectively. Corresponding coefficients of variation were 3.1, 3.6, 5.2, and 3.8%, respectively.