Rapid thin layer chromatographic method for determining aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone in corn

A multimycotoxin thin layer chromatographic method is described for the analysis of corn. Aflatoxins are extracted from the samples with acetonitrile-water, and sodium bicarbonate is added to separate the acidic ochratoxin from zearalenone and aflatoxin B1. After chloroform extraction, 1N NaOH is added to separate zearalenone and aflatoxin B1. The separated mycotoxins are spotted on TLC plates, which are then examined under ultraviolet light. The following recoveries (%) were obtained for corn samples: aflatoxin B1 71, ochratoxin A 87, and zearalenone 85. The limits of detection for the respective mycotoxins were 2, 40, and 200 ppb.     

Rapid, sensitive liquid chromatographic method for determination of zearalenone and alpha- and beta-zearalenol in wheat

A rapid, sensitive liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for quantitative determination of zearalenone and alpha- and beta-zearalenol in wheat. The procedure incorporates an internal standard, zearalenone oxime, to facilitate quantitation and automated analysis. A sample, buffered with pH 7.8 phosphate, is extracted with water-ethanol-chloroform (2 + 50 + 75) and cleaned up. The final residue is dissolved in LC mobile phase and injected onto a reverse phase RP-18 column under the following conditions: water-methanol-acetonitrile (5 + 3 + 2) mobile phase; fluorescence (excitation wavelength 236 nm, 418 nm cut-off emission filter) and UV (254 nm, range 0.0025 AU) detectors. The limit of detectability (twice background) is 0.5 ng for zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol standards on the fluorescence detector and 4 ng for beta-zearalenol on the UV detector, which is equivalent to 20 micrograms zearalenone and 20 micrograms alpha-zearalenol/kg, and 160 micrograms beta-zearalenol/kg feed. Standard curves are linear over the range 0-35 ng zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol on the fluorescence detector and 0-50 ng beta-zearalenol on the UV detector. Recoveries of all compounds are 87.5-101% in the range 0.1-3.0 mg/kg (ppm).     

Rapid thin layer chromatographic determination of aflatoxin M1 in powdered milk

A method has been developed for the detection of aflatoxin M1 in milk. The toxin is extracted with chloroform, the extract is evaporated, and the residue is partitioned between carbon tetrachloride and an aqueous saline-methanol solution. The toxin is once again extracted with chloroform from the methanol solution and analyzed by thin layer chromatography. The limit of detection of M1 in powdered milk is 0.5 microgram/kg; recoveries of added M1 are about 83%. The limit of detection can be improved to 0.3 microgram/kg if the plate is sprayed with an aqueous solution of H2SO4 after development.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of alpha-zearalenol and zearalenone in corn: collaborative study

The liquid chromatographic determination of alpha-zearalenol and zearalenone in corn was collaboratively studied. Each of 13 collaborators received 7 corn samples; 2 were blanks and 5 were spiked to contain 50, 100, and 200 ng alpha-zearalenol/g and 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 4000 ng zearalenone/g. Four sets (including blanks) of blind duplicates were included in the study. Five naturally contaminated corn samples (one in duplicate) were also provided. All collaborators detected both mycotoxins at 50 ng/g. Average recoveries reported by all collaborators ranged from 81.9% at 200 ng/g to 100.3% at 50 ng/g for alpha-zearalenol and from 77.8% at 1000 ng/g to 123% at 50 ng/g for zearalenone. Three collaborators reported false positives for both alpha-zearalenol and zearalenone. The within-laboratory CV values based on blind duplicates were 22.6% for alpha-zearalenol and 31.4% for zearalenone. The CV values based on laboratory-sample interaction were 25.6 and 33.8% for alpha-zearalenol and zearalenone, respectively. The CV values for naturally contaminated samples (including duplicates) were 47.0% for alpha-zearalenol and 37.7% for zearalenone. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Thin layer chromatographic determination of aflatoxin in corn dust

Methods adopted by the AOAC and the American Association of Cereal Chemists for determining aflatoxin in corn were modified, and techniques were developed for application to samples of less than 1 to 10 g instead of the specified 50 g samples. Analysis included chloroform extraction of dust samples or dust collected from glass fiber filters, purification of extracts on a silica gel column of appropriate size, and measurement of aflatoxin by either 1- or 2-dimensional thin layer chromatography (TLC). The solvent for 1-dimensional TLC was chloroform-acetone-water (91 + 9 + 1). Solvents for 2-dimensional TLC were, first direction, ether-methanol-water (95 + 4 + 1, lined tank) and second direction, chloroform-acetone-water (91 + 9 + 1, unlined tank), or first direction, chloroform-acetone-water (91 + 9 + 1, unlined tank) and second direction, toluene-ethyl acetate-formic acid (60 + 30 + 10, unlined tank). When samples weighed less than or equal to 0.1 g, the entire concentrated extract was applied to the TLC plate. About 0.5-1.0 ng aflatoxin B1 could be detected on the plate, making the limit of detection about 9 ng/g for 0.1 g samples.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of resmethrin in corn, cornmeal, flour, and wheat.

A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method was developed for the determination of residues of resmethrin ((5-benzyl-3-furyl)methyl cis-trans-(+/-)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylpropenyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylate) in corn, cornmeal, flour, and wheat. The commodity, fortified with resmethrin, was extracted by tumbling with pentane and transferred to acetonitrile, the fat was partitioned off, and the sample was chromatographed with 3% ethyl acetate in pentane on Florisil containing 0.5% water. The resmethrin residue was determined by GLC with a flame ionization detector. The results were compared with known standards that had undergone the same cleanup procedures. The method was sensitive to concentrations of resmethrin to 0.2 ppm, recoveries averaged 83%, and reproducibility was good.     

Spectrofluorometric determination and thin layer chromatographic identification of tyramine in wine.

A method is described for determining tyramine in wine by sand column extraction in an alkaline medium with anhydrous sodium sulfate. Tyramine is identified and quantitated by spectrofluorometry after the final extract is reacted with alpha-nitroso-beta-naphthol; identity is confirmed by thin layer chromatography. The average recovery was 98.93%. The method is applied to samples of 3 different wines obtained throughout the vinification process. Tyramine, which was not present in the must, appears in considerable quantities 15 days after the vinification process has begun.     

Rapid screening method for aflatoxins and zearalenone in corn.

The methanol-water extraction system used in AOAC Method II for aflatoxins extracts both the aflatoxins and zearalenone from corn. Using this methanol-water extraction system as a base, a rapid screening procedure has been developed for these mycotoxins. The methanol-water extract is defatted with hexane and the pigments are precipitated with copper carbonate. The aflatoxins and zearalenone are subsequently extracted into chloroform and are then detected by half-plate TLC. An elapsed time of about 1 hr is required to analyze 1 sample. The sensitivity of the method is about 2 mu-g/kg for aflatoxin B-1 and 100 mu-g/kg for zearalenone.     

Rapid quantitative thin layer chromatographic screening procedure for sulfathiazole residues in honey

A procedure is presented for the quantitative determination of sulfathiazole residues in honey. Induced fluorescence of sulfathiazole is measured by fluorescent scanning densitometry; sulfaquinoxaline is added as an internal standard for quantitation. Recovery is greater than 98% and results are linear over the range 0.05-0.60 mg/kg. The detection limit, CL (k = 3), is 0.02. The procedure allows a single analyst to process 50-60 samples/day.     

Mycotoxins in animal feedstuffs: sensitive thin layer chromatographic detection of aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin

Improvements have been made to a previously described multi-mycotoxin method that involved a membrane cleanup step. Using 2-dimensional thin layer chromatography and appropriate solvent systems, aflatoxin B1 can be detected in mixed feedstuffs and various ingredients at levels ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 microgram/kg. Corresponding detection limits for ochratoxin A and sterigmatocystin are 5 to 20 microgram/kg and for T-2 toxin and zearalenone 20 to 200 microgram/kg.     

Sensitive thin layer chromatographic detection of high fructose corn sirup and other adulterants in honey.

A highly sensitive procedure has been developed to detect the undeclared addition of high fructose corn sirup (HFCS) to honey. Carbohydrates must be separated first to achieve the requisite degree of sensitivity; charcoal-Celite chromatography was used to isolate a fraction containing oligo- and polysaccharides. The fraction was then concentrated and examined by thin layer chromatography on silica gel. Pure honeys yielded only 1 or 2 blue-grey or blue-brown spots at Rf values greater than 0.35; a series of spots or blue streaks extending from the origin characterized adulterated samples. The method detects HFCS and conventional honey adulterants at levels as low as 10% or less of the total mixture. In addition, the procedure detects the presence in honey of all starch-derived sugar sirups tested thus far, regardless of the plant source.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of zearalenone and alpha- and beta-zearalenols in milk

Previous research has demonstrated transmission of zearalenone and alpha- and beta-zearalenols into the milk of cows and other animals. Since human intake of zearalenone and its metabolites via milk is an unknown factor in risk assessment of zearalenone and because appropriate methodology for their determination in milk is not available, a rapid and sensitive analytical method has been developed. Essentially, the method includes extraction with basic acetonitrile, acidification, partition into methylene chloride on a hydrophilic matrix, cleanup on an aminopropyl solid phase extraction column, and reverse-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Recoveries from milk averaged 84% for zearalenone, 93% for alpha-zearalenol, and 90% for beta-zearalenol at spiking levels of 0.5 to 20 ng/mL. As little as 0.2 ng/mL of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol and 2 ng/mL of beta-zearalenol can be detected in milk. These 3 compounds are stable in refrigerated milk for at least 2 weeks and in milk brought to boiling. Enzymes (beta-glucuronidase and aryl sulfatase) may be added to milk prior to extraction to hydrolyze any conjugates.     

Thin layer chromatographic method for determination of deoxynivalenol in wheat: collaborative study

A collaborative study of a rapid method for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in winter wheat was successfully completed. The method involves sample extraction with acetonitrile-water (84 + 16), cleanup using a disposable column of charcoal, Celite, and alumina, and detection by thin layer chromatography after spraying with an aluminum chloride solution. Each of the 15 collaborators analyzed 12 samples, 2 of which were naturally contaminated, and 10 to which DON was added, in duplicate, at levels of 0, 50, 100, 300, and 1000 ng/g. Average recoveries of DON ranged from 78 to 96% with repeatabilities of 30-64% and reproducibilities of 33-87%. The results of the study show that false positives were not a problem and that all of the analysts could detect DON at the 300 ng/g level or higher. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Chemical confirmatory tests for ochratoxin A, citrinin, penicillic acid, sterigmatocystin, and zearalenone performed directly on thin layer chromatographic plates

Published tests have been improved and a new procedure is described for chemical confirmation of mycotoxins directly on thin layer plates. After extraction and preliminary cleanup chromatography with n-hexane or chloroform, the mycotoxins ochratoxin A, citrinin, penicillic acid, sterigmatocystin, and zearalenone were easily separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using toluene-ethyl acetate-90% formic acid (6 + 3 + 1) developing solvent. In chemical confirmatory methods, the developed chromatogram was exposed to vapors of pyridine, acetic anhydride, or a mixture, or the mycotoxins were over-spotted. With this treatment, ochratoxin A, citrinin, penicillic acid, and zearalenone were converted to new fluorescent compounds, and observed under 365 nm light after re-chromatography with the same developing solvent. Sterigmatocystin was confirmed chemically using TLC plates impregnated with 0.6N H2SO4 or 10% oxalic acid in methanol. The described procedures are satisfactory for confirming mycotoxins present in standards, artificially contaminated grain samples (barley, corn, oat, rye, and wheat), and extracts from both fungal cultures and naturally contaminated grain samples.     

High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of zearalenone in chicken tissues

A method is reported for the extraction and analysis of zearalenone in chicken fat, heart muscle, and kidney tissue by using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Zearalenone is extracted with acetonitrile, cleaned up with hexane, and extracted further with ethyl acetate. Zearalenone is determined by HPLC using a reverse phase radial compression separation system, an ultraviolet absorbance detector, and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (60 + 40) (v/v). Recoveries of zearalenone added at levels from 50 to 200 ng/g are in the range 82.6-95.1%.     

Simultaneous extraction and fractionation and thin layer chromatographic determination of 14 mycotoxins in grains.

A simple, systematic analytical method for multiple mycotoxins was developed for detecting 14 mycotoxins; aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol, fusarenon X, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, citrinin, luteoskyrin, and rugulosin. These mycotoxins were extracted with 20% H2SO4-4% KCl-acetonitrile (2 + 20 + 178), defatted with isooctane, and transferred to chloroform. The chloroform extract was cleaned up by silica gel column chromatography; the first 10 toxins were eluted with chloroform-methanol (97 + 3) and the remaining 4 toxins with benzene-acetone-acetic acid (75 + 20 + 5). Each fraction was analyzed by thin layer chromatography for the final determination. The method has been applied to polished rice, rough rice, corn, wheat, and peanuts as an analytical screening procedure. The detection limits in these commodities ranged from 10.00 to 800.0 microgram/kg, depending on the mycotoxin, but all limits were superior to those obtained for the individual mycotoxins by using other methods.     

Simultaneous thin layer chromatographic determination of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in black olives

A screening method has been developed for simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in black olives. The technique includes extraction of both mycotoxins with aqueous methanol, cleanup using lead acetate, defatting with hexane, partitioning in chloroform, and thin layer chromatography. Detection limits are 5-7 micrograms aflatoxin B1 and 20 micrograms ochratoxin A/kg.     

Gas chromatographic determination of deoxynivalenol in wheat

Modifications to a published method are described for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat by gas chromatography with electron capture quantitation of the heptafluorobutyrate derivative. In the modified method, DON is extracted by shaking the sample with methanol-water on a wrist-action shaker, followed by filtration through rapid flow paper. One concentration step is eliminated, and a hexane wash is incorporated to remove toluene from the silica gel column. Recoveries of DON from wheat samples spiked at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm ranged from 77.3 to 86.3% and averaged 81.5%.     

Improved gas chromatographic method for quantitation of deoxynivalenol in wheat, corn, and feed

A gas chromatographic (GC) method is described to determine deoxynivalenol in wheat and corn at levels as low as 20 ppb. Ground samples are extracted with water, adsorbed onto a Clin Elut column, extracted with ethyl acetate, and passed through a silica gel Sep-Pak cartridge. The final extract is then derivatized with N-heptafluorobutyrylimidazole and quantitated by GC using an electron capture detector. Recoveries are greater than 85% for spiked samples at levels of 50-1000 ppb. Results for wheat, corn, and mixed feed samples are given as well as the results of an interlaboratory study on a naturally contaminated wheat sample.