A quantitative method for determination of aflatoxin B in roasted corn.

Roasting aflatoxin-contaminated corn will reduce toxin levels. A quantitative analysis for aflatoxin in roasted corn has been developed by modifying a cleanup technique for green coffee extracts approved as official first action by the AOAC. A chloroform extract is partially purified on a Florisil column, and thin layer chromatographic (TLC) plates are developed with methylene chloride-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol-formic acid (81+15+3+1). Recoveries average 101% and the sensitivity limit is 5 ppb aflatoxin B1. A 2-dimensional TLC procedure can also be used to separate the aflatoxins from background interferences.     

Mold occurrence and aflatoxin B(1) and fumonisin B(1) determination in corn samples in Venezuela

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced mainly by Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum, which have been associated with several animal and human diseases. Aflatoxins are hepatotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Both have been reported at high levels in corn. This study was pursued to determine mold, aflatoxin B(1) (AFTB(1)), and fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) levels in white and yellow corn. Mold levels were determined using potato dextrose agar and identification of the main genus of molds present in corn, AFTB(1) levels by immunoaffinity chromatography, and FB(1) levels by a Bond-Elut SAX cartridge and HPLC. AFTB(1) an     

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.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of aflatoxin B1 in naturally contaminated corn and cottonseed

Naturally contaminated corn and cottonseed samples were screened for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were blended 5 min in an extraction solvent of methanol-water-dimethylformamide (70 + 29 + 1) and filtered. Filtrates were assayed by direct competition between AFB1 in the corn and cottonseed samples and AFB1-peroxidase conjugate for binding to specific antibody adsorbed to a solid phase microtiter plate. Standard curves prepared using the extract of AFB1-free corn and cottonseed samples, and extraction solvent only, showed negligible interference by the sample extract in the performance of ELISA. The AFB1 content in corn and dehulled cottonseed samples as determined by ELISA ranged from 7 to 422 micrograms/kg and 7 to 3,258 micrograms/kg, respectively. When ELISA estimates of AFB1 in corn were compared with values obtained by thin layer chromatography (CB method), the correlation coefficient (n = 10) was 0.95. Average interassay and subsample coefficients of variation for ELISA in corn were 21.4 and 22.0%, respectively. When ELISA estimates of AFB1 in cottonseed were compared with values obtained by liquid chromatography (Pons method), the correlation coefficient (n = 15) was 0.96. Using this ELISA, 36 duplicate sample extracts can be screened for AFB1 in less than 2 h.     

Thin layer chromatographic determination of aflatoxin B1 in eggs: collaborative study

The thin layer chromatographic method of Trucksess et al. for aflatoxin B1 in eggs was collaboratively studied. Each collaborator analyzed 3 known practice samples and 9 unknown samples containing added aflatoxin B1 at 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.30 ng/g. For 9 collaborators, recoveries for the 3 positive levels were: 0--0.13 ng/g (average 98%, coefficient of variation (C.V.) 83%), 0.05--0.18 ng/g (average 102%, C.V. 36%, and 0.11--0.42 ng/g (average 93%, C.V. 31%), respectively. The method has been adopted as official first action.     

Automated fluorometric determination of thiabendazole.

An automated fluorometric method is presented for the determination of thiabendazole (2-(4'-thiazolyl)benzimidazole) in 0.1N HCl solutions. Test solutions of at least 1.1 ml starting volume are sampled and pumped successively at the rate of 60/hr into a fluorometer equipped with a simple flowcell. The minimum level of detection of the fungicide is about 0.05 mu-g/ml.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 in corn silage

Corn silage was dried, ground, and then extracted with 0.1 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The filtrate was applied to a FumoniTest immunoaffinity column. Fumonisins were derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde, separated on a C(18) liquid chromatographic column, and detected by fluorescence. The detection limits for fumonisin B(1), fumonisin B(2), and fumonisin B(3) were 50, 25, and 25 ng/g of dried silage, respectively. Recoveries of fumonisin B(1), fumonisin B(2), and fumonisin B(3) from wet and dried corn silage spiked over the range of 100-5000 ng/g averaged 91-106%. The method was applied to corn silage samples collected from the midwestern area of the United States during 2001-2002. Of 89 corn silage samples, fumonisin B(1), fumonisin B(2), and fumonisin B(3) were found in 86 (97%), 64 (72%), and 51 (57%) of the samples. The mean positive levels of fumonisin B(1), fumonisin B(2), and fumonisin B(3) were 615, 93, and 51 ng/g, respectively, in dried silage. This suggests that fumonisins may be frequent low level contaminants in corn silage.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Automated fluorometric determination of vitamin C in foods.

Two automated fluorometric methods were compared with the official AOAC methods for determining vitamin C in fortified ready-to-eat cereals, fruits, vegetables, baby foods, flour products, pet foods, meats, frozen dinners, juices, and nutritional health bars. Each sample was analyzed in duplicate on 2 days and included a recovery study on all products. Egberg's semiautomated method (Method 1) and Roy's automated method (Method 2) were compared with the manual AOAC tritrimetric and fluorometric methods. The correlation factor for Methods 1 and 2 were 0.999 and 0.979, respectively, when compared with the AOAC methods. The recovery study showed average recoveries of 97.8% for Method 1, 99.3% for Method 2, and 100.6% for the AOAC methods. The results suggest that Method 1 is the method of choice for the majority of the products analyzed.     

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.     

Survey for aflatoxin B1 in chicken eggs

Samples of egg products were obtained during January and July 1977 from 35 establishments located in the southern part of the United States. Of the 112 samples analyzed, aflatoxin B1 was found in 1 sample of liquid egg white at a level of 0.06 ng/g. No aflatoxin was found in 101 samples of shell eggs offered for sale to consumers in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina in the late fall of 1977.     

Methyl jasmonate stimulates aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic metabolite produced by certain Aspergillus species on agricultural commodities. One factor promoting the production of aflatoxin is the presence of high levels of fatty acid hydroperoxides often found in plant material under stress. Jasmonic acid (JA) and its methyl ester (MeJA) are derived from linolenic acid, and their biosyntheses involve the production of lipid hydroperoxides. Exposure of aflatoxigenic mold to jasmonates is likely because the mold attacks plant material and possibly initiates the production of jasmonates. In this study the effect of MeJA on the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and AFB1 biosynthesis is reported. MeJA, at a final concentration of 10(-4) M in yeast extract sucrose medium, did not have any apparent effect on mycelial growth during the 16 days of observation but did increase significantly the levels of AFB1 after the seventh day of growth. After the ninth day, AFB1 production was decreased in contrast to the control cultures, where the production was constantly increasing. AFB1 determination was performed by immunoaffinity and HPLC after derivatization to AFB2a.     

Simple method for simultaneous detection of aflatoxin and zearalenone in corn.

A method is described for the simultaneous detection of alfatoxin and zearalenone in corn at 5 and 200 ppb, respectively. No evaporation of solvent is required and the procedure is simple enough to be considered for use at marketing locations. The presence of absence of these myocotoxins can be determined in 10-20 min/sample. The procedure involves an initial blender extraction with methanol, partitioning of fat and pigments into 1-1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon-113) from an aqueous ammonium sulfate layer, followed by extraction of aflatoxin from the aqueous layer with chlorobenzene. The chlorobenzene extract can be spotted directly onto a thin layer chromatographic plate which requires only 4 min development. Concentrations of aflatoxin and zearalenone can be estimated by visual comparison of sample spots with standards.     

Visual and semiquantitative spectrophotometric ELISA screening method for aflatoxin B1 in corn and peanut products: follow-up collaborative study

A joint AOAC/IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) interlaboratory study of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent screening assay (ELISA) for aflatoxins was conducted in laboratories in Canada, France, Japan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the United States. Twelve raw and roasted peanut and corn portions containing various concentrations of natural aflatoxins and supplemented when appropriate with aflatoxin B1 were distributed to participating laboratories for testing. The assay is based on competition between an enzyme-conjugated aflatoxin B1 and (free) aflatoxins in the test sample for aflatoxin-specific antibodies coated onto interior surfaces of microtiter wells. After a wash step to remove all unbound aflatoxins, a substrate added to each well is catalyzed from a colorless to a blue solution by any bound enzyme-conjugated aflatoxin B1 present. The intensity of the color decreases as the amount of free aflatoxin B1 in the test portion increases. Final determination of aflatoxin concentrations can be made by either visual comparison with standard solutions or spectrophotometric comparisons (at 650 nm) to knowns. Overall correlation was good between ELISA and thin-layer chromatographic results for corn and roasted peanut products, with 93 and 98% correct responses for visual and instrumental determinations, respectively. For instrumental determinations of aflatoxin in corn and roasted peanuts in the less than or equal to 20 ng/g range, the relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) were 14.9 and 41.4%, respectively, and the relative standard deviations for reproducibility (RSDR) were 45.7 and 43.5%, respectively. For instrumental determination of greater than 20 ng/g, the respective RSDr and RSDR values were 19.4 and 52.7% for corn and 23.3 and 23.3% for roasted peanuts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Automated fluorometric determination of thiamine and riboflavin in infant formulas.

Commercial infant formulas were analyzed simultaneously for thiamine and riboflavin by an automated fluorometric method and by the AOAC manual fluorometric methods. For 10 products, the mean thiamine and riboflavin results determined using the automated method ranged from 104 to 113% and 90 to 112%, respectively, of those by the AOAC manual methods. The coefficients of variation for thiamine and riboflavin ranged from 1.05 to 3.90% and 0.60 to 2.48%, respectively, for the automated methods, and 1.48 to 3.86% and 0.69 to 10.9%, respectively, for the manual methods. Using the automated method, mean recoveries of thiamine and riboflavin added to samples were 103 and 104%, respectively. The automated method used a common sample preparation to determine both thiamine and riboflavin, and gave results equivalent to, or better than, those obtained by the manual methods.