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.     

High-pressure liquid chromatographic method for the determination of patulin in apple butter.

Patulin is extracted from apple butter samples with ethyl acetate and the extract is cleaned up on a silica gel column, using benzene-ethyl acetate (75+25) as the eluant. High-pressure liquid chromatography, using a 25 cm ZorbaxSil column, isooctane-ethyl ether-acetic acid (750+250+0.5) as the mobile solvent, and a 254 nm ultraviolet detector, is used for the determinative step. Under these conditions, patulin is eluted before 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, a component of apple butter which interferes with other liquid chromatographic and thin layer chromatographic methods. Recoveries of patulin added at levels of 34.6, 138.4, and 276.8 mug/kg ranged from 89.0 to 112.1%.     

Simultaneous assay for six alkaloids in opium, using high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method is described for the quantitative determination of morphine, codeine, cryptopine, thebaine, papaverine, and narcotine in opium by high-performance liquid chromatography. The alkaloids are isolated from a dilute acid extract by adsorption on an Amberlite XAD-2 resin column and eluted first with methanol and then with chloroform-methanol (3+1). After solvent removal by reduced pressure evaporation, the alkaloids are redissolved in chloroform-methanol (3+1). The sample solution, plus brucine as an internal standard, is injected onto a Corasil II column and eluted with hexane that is gradient programmed with a solution of chloroform-methanol-diethylamine (100+300+1). The absorbances of the separated alkaloids are continuously monitored at 254 nm, using a flow-through ultraviolet double-beam photometer.     

Determination of aflatoxins in vegetable oils

A simple method is proposed for determination of aflatoxins in vegetable oils. The method was successfully applied to both crude and degummed oils. The oil sample, dissolved in hexane, was applied to a silica column and washed with ether, toluene, and chloroform; aflatoxins were eluted from the column with chloroform-methanol (97 + 3). As quantitated by thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography, the oils analyzed contained aflatoxin B1 at levels of 5-200 micrograms/kg. Recoveries of aflatoxin B1 standards added to aflatoxin-free oils were between 89.5 and 93.5%, with coefficients of variation of 6.3-8.0%.     

Matrix solid phase dispersion isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of oxytetracycline in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) muscle tissue

A method for isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of oxytetracycline in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) muscle tissue is presented. Blank control and oxytetracycline-fortified fish muscle tissue samples (0.5 g) were blended with octadecylsllyl (C18, 40 microns, 18% load, endcapped) derivatized silica packing material (2 g) containing 0.05 g each of oxalic acid and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate. A column made from the C18/fish tissue matrix was first washed with hexane (8 mL), following which the oxytetracycline was eluted with acetonitrile-methanol (1 + 1, v/v) containing 0.06% w/v each of butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. The eluate contained oxytetracycline analyte that was free from interfering compounds when analyzed by liquid chromatography with UV detection (photodiode array set at 365 nm). Standard curves for oxytetracycline isolated from fortified samples were linear (0.998 +/- 0.002) with an average absolute percentage recovery of 80.9 +/- 6.6% for the concentration range (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 ng/g) examined. The interassay variability was 11.3 +/- 5.2% with an intra-assay variability of 1.1%.     

Preparation of deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) from field-inoculated corn

A process was developed for production of gram quantities of deoxynivalenol (DON) from corn that had been inoculated in the field with Fusarium graminearum and was estimated to contain 400-500 mg DON/kg. Steps in the purification procedure included extraction with methanol-water (1 + 1), partition from an aqueous solution into ethyl acetate by using a hydrophilic matrix, defatting, Florisil column chromatography, methylene chloride-water partition, semipreparative liquid chromatography (LC), and crystallization from ethyl acetate. The average yield of crystalline DON produced by this method (or with minor variations) was 281 mg/kg.     

Simultaneous determination of ochratoxin A and cyclopiazonic,mycophenolic, and tenuazonic acids in cornflakes by solid-phase microextraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method, coupled to liquid chromatography with diode array UV detection (LC-UV/DAD), for the simultaneous determination of cyclopiazonic acid, mycophenolic acid, tenuazonic acid, and ochratoxin A is described. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a propylamino-bonded silica gel stationary phase using acetonitrile/methanol/ammonium acetate buffer mixture (78:2:20, v/v/v) as mobile phase. SPME adsorption and desorption conditions were optimized using a silica fiber coated with a 60 microm thick polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene film. Estimated limits of detection and limits of quantitation ranged from 3 to 12 ng/mL and from 7 to 29 ng/mL, respectively. The method has been applied to cornflake samples. Samples were subjected to a preliminary short sonication in MeOH/2% KHCO(3) (70:30, v/v); the mixture was evaporated to near dryness and reconstituted in 1.5 mL of 5 mM phosphate buffer (pH 3) for SPME followed by LC-UV/DAD. The overall procedure had recoveries (evaluated on samples spiked at 200 ng/g level) ranging from 74 +/- 4 to 103 +/- 9%. Samples naturally contaminated with cyclopiazonic and tenuazonic acids were found; estimated concentrations were 72 +/- 9 and 25 +/- 6 ng/g, respectively.     

Multiresidue screen for organophosphorus insecticides using gel permeation chromatography--silica gel cleanup.

A multiresidue screen for quantitative determination of 43 organophosphorus insecticides in 5 g of plant and animal tissues is described. The organophosphorus insecticides are extracted with methanol-dichloromethane (10 + 90, v/v) and cleaned up using automated gel permeation chromatography with hexane-ethyl acetate (60 + 40) eluant and in-line silica gel minicolumns. Concentrated extracts are analyzed by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection. The method recovers 43 organophosphorus insecticides in the range of 72 to 115%. Analysis of fortified bovine liver (n = 5) shows an average 95.9 +/- 4.8% recovery at the 0.05 micrograms/g level and 93 +/- 3.8% at the 0.5 micrograms/g level. Analysis of fortified bovine rumen content (n = 5) shows an average 98 +/- 4.2% recovery at the 0.1 micrograms/g level and 98.7 +/- 2.8% at the 1 micrograms/g level. Method detection limits ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 micrograms/g for the compounds studied using a nominal 5 gram sample.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of barbaloin (aloin) in foods

A simple and rapid liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of barbaloin (aloin, 10-D-glucopyranosyl-1,8-dihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-9(10H)-anthraceno ne) in foods. Barbaloin is extracted with water from foods containing aloe and the extract is cleaned up on a disposable cartridge by using methanol-water (55 + 45) as eluant. The eluted barbaloin is separated by liquid chromatography on a YMC A-302 column with methanol-water (50 + 50) mobile phase, and detected at 293 nm. Recoveries of barbaloin added to foods at the levels of 0.05 and 0.50 mg/g were 94.4-100%. Assay results for commercial food samples indicated that the present method is applicable to a variety of foods supplemented with aloe.     

Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline in milk

A multiresidue method for the isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and chlortetracycline (CTC) antibiotics in milk is presented. Blank and tetracycline (OTC, TC, and CTC) fortified milk samples (0.5 mL) were blended with octadecylsilyl (C18, 40 microns, 18% load, endcapped, 2 g) derivatized silica packing material containing 0.05 g each of oxalic acid and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic. A column made from the C18/milk matrix was first washed with hexane (8 mL), following which the tetracyclines were eluted with ethyl acetate-acetonitrile (1 + 3; v/v). The eluate contained tetracycline analytes that were free from interfering compounds when analyzed by liquid chromatography with UV detection (photodiode array, 365 nm). Correlation coefficients of standards curves for individual tetracycline isolated from fortified samples were linear (from 0.982 +/- 0.009 to 0.996 +/- 0.004) with average percentage recoveries from 63.5 to 93.3 for the concentration range (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 ng/mL) examined. The inter-assay variability ranged from 8.5 +/- 2.4% to 20.7 +/- 13.0% with an intra-assay variability of 1.0-9.3%.     

Improved spectrophotometric determination of cyclopiazonic acid in poultry feed and corn

An improved visible spectrophotometric method has been developed for cyclopiazonic acid in poultry feed and corn. The method is based on the reaction of cyclopiazonic acid with Ehrlich reagent and detection at 580 nm. Reaction conditions were optimized with respect to reaction and measurement times and acid and Ehrlich reagent concentrations. Calibration curves were linear from 1 to 20 micrograms cyclopiazonic acid in 3 mL Ehrlich reagent, with a lower detection limit of 0.08 mg/kg for 50 g samples of poultry feed and corn. Recoveries from 50 g samples of poultry feed spiked with cyclopiazonic ranging from 0.16 to 1.20 mg/kg averaged 93.8%. Moldy corn and poultry feed samples analyzed by this method contained between 1 and 4 mg/kg cyclopiazonic acid.     

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of clocapramine in feed and plasma

A high performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of clocapramine in animal feed and plasma. Samples are made alkaline and then extracted with chloroform containing opipramol as internal standard. For plasma samples, the organic phase is evaporated to dryness under a stream of nitrogen, and the residue is dissolved in dichloromethane-methanol. Extracts are chromatographed on silica gel with dichloromethane-methanol-ammonia (100 + 10 + 0.25) as eluant, and quantitated using an internal standard. Within-day precision for plasma extracts (n = 15) was 3.39, 5.7, and 4.13% at 5, 10, and 15 mg clocapramine/L plasma, respectively, and day-to-day precision was 4.6, 6.8, and 4.4% at the same levels. The detection limit was 0,5 mg/L. Recovery from feed over the concentration range 2-6 g/kg was greater than 96%.     

Matrix solid phase dispersion isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of sulfadimethoxine in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) muscle tissue

A method for the isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of sulfadimethoxine in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) muscle tissue is presented. Blank control and sulfadimethoxine-fortified fish muscle tissue samples (0.5 g) were blended with octadecyisilyl (C18, 40 micrograms, 18% load, endcapped) derivatized silica packing material. A column made from the C18/fish tissue blend was first washed with hexane (8 mL), following which the sulfadimethoxine was eluted with dichloromethane (8 mL). The eluant contained sulfadimethoxine analyte that was free from interfering compounds when analyzed by liquid chromatography with UV detection (photodiode array, 270 nm). Standard curves for sulfadimethoxine isolated from fortified samples were linear (0.999 +/- 0.001) with an average relative percentage recovery of 101.1 +/- 4.2% for the concentration range (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 ng/g) examined using sulfamethoxazole as the internal standard. The interassay variability was 10.7 +/- 8.2% with an intra-assay variability of 2.2%.     

Determination of xanthomegnin in grains and animal feeds by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A sensitive, highly selective liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described which uses electrochemical (EC) reduction of the analyte in the determinative step. The method is capable of determining xanthomegnin in mixed animal feeds and grains at levels ranging from 15 to 1200 ng/g. The method can detect as little as 0.5 ng xanthomegnin injected on the LC column. Xanthomegnin is extracted with chloroform and 0.1M phosphoric acid. An aliquot of the crude extract is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a Sep-Pak silica gel cartridge. A novel feature of the method is that xanthomegnin is "backed off" the column by reversing the flow of the eluant through the column. LC is then used to separate xanthomegnin from other interfering substances. Xanthomegnin is detected by EC reduction at -0.16 V. Recoveries of xanthomegnin added to samples at levels ranging from 15 to 1200 ng/g averaged 79% with a coefficient of variation of 7.9%. Results also demonstrate that this LC system can separate the related metabolites viomellein and rubrosulphin from each other and from xanthomegnin and that the same EC detection system can be used to detect these metabolites.     

Rapid screening method for detection of deoxynivalenol

A rapid method for detecting deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin, was developed. DON was extracted from grains and other samples with acetonitrile-4% potassium chloride solution (9 + 1). Impurities that would interfere with detection were removed on a C18 silica gel reverse phase column. Water was removed from eluates on a hydrophilic matrix column. DON was detected by thin layer chromatography using an aluminum chloride solution to develop the blue response characteristic of the mycotoxin. Total time involved is approximately 30 min. The method was applicable to corn, wheat, and barley at detection levels of 1 ppm, and oats at 1.5 ppm. It is applicable to environmental samples (soil, green plants, and water) at detection levels of 0.75 ppm.     

Improved separation method for highly purified lutein from Chlorella powder using jet mill and flash column chromatography on silica gel

We investigated an improved method for the separation of high-purified lutein from a commercially available spray-dried Chlorella powder (CP) using fine grinding by jet mill and flash column chromatography on a silica gel. Saponification and extraction of lutein were enhanced 2.3-2.9-fold in jet mill-treated CP (mean particle size, 20 microm) as compared to untreated CP (mean particle size, 67 microm). The carotenoid extract was dissolved in ether-hexane (1:1 v/v) and subjected to flash column chromatography on silica gel. A mixture of alpha- and beta-carotene was eluted with hexane, followed by elution with hexane-acetone-chloroform (7:2:1 v/v). Lutein (dark-orange band) was collected after the elution of an unknown colorless compound (detected based on UV absorbance). The purity of lutein in this fraction was over 99%, and the yield was 60%. The present study provides key information for obtaining highly purified lutein using flash column chromatography on a silica gel.     

Determination of tetracycline antibiotics in beef and pork tissues using ion-paired liquid chromatography

A simplified procedure was developed for determination of tetracycline antibiotics in tissues which improved stability of these compounds in sample extracts and eliminated the need for troublesome cleanup procedures. Tissues were homogenized in water. Acetonitrile (16 mL) and then 1 mL of 0.1 M H(3)PO(4) were added to 4 mL of homogenate and the clear supernatant was filtered. The filtrate was mixed with hexane and dichloromethane and the resulting water layer was collected, evaporated to 1-2 mL, and filtered into autosampler vials. Ion-pairing liquid chromatography was used to separate tetracyclines from interferences in sample extracts, eliminating the need for further cleanup. Analysis was isocratic using a Phenomonex Prodigy ODS(3) column with a mobile phase of 4 mM oxalic acid, 4 mM sodium oxalate, 10 mM sodium decanesulfonate-acetonitrile (70 + 30 for oxytetracycline and tetracycline; 66 + 34 for chlortetracycline). Recoveries were generally in the 90-100% range with limits of quantitation of 0. 05-0.1 ppm. The procedure was evaluated with beef and pork muscle, liver, and kidney.     

Determination of cyclopiazonic acid in peanuts and corn by thin layer chromatography

A thin layer chromatographic system including densitometry has been developed for determining cyclopiazonic acid in peanuts and corn. Samples are extracted with methanol-chloroform (20 + 80); the extract is stripped of most interferences by partitioning with aqueous sodium bicarbonate followed by acidification and repartitioning with chloroform. After thin layer chromatography and derivatization with dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-HCl spray, the toxin is quantitated by reflection densitometry at 540 nm. The recovery of cyclopiazonic acid averages 90% for peanuts and 85% for corn. The absolute detection limit is 25 ng per spot which translates to a detection limit of 125 micrograms/kg for a 50 g sample.     

Isolation and liquid chromatographic determination of the cyclic peptide mycotoxin cyclosporin A from rice

A simple method for determination and quantitation of a cyclic peptide mycotoxin, cyclosporin A, in rice is presented. Rice inoculated with Trichoderma polysporum (Link ex Pers.) was extracted with methylene chloride after 4 weeks of incubation. Cyclosporin A was isolated from extracts by using open bed gel filtration column chromatography (LH-20, acetonitrile) and monitored with thin layer chromatography and reverse phase liquid chromatography coelution with a standard. Preliminary thin layer chromatographic methods were developed. Cyclosporin A was detected by iodine and after partial acid hydrolysis by ninhydrin and UV light. A liquid chromatographic method was developed that used a reverse phase disposable cartridge cleanup and isocratic chromatography with a reverse phase octadecylsilica column and a UV detector set at 212 nm. Recovery of cyclosporin A from spiked rice samples (mg/g range) was 85%.     

Negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric method for confirmation of identity of aflatoxin B1: collaborative study

An interlaboratory study of a negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric (MS) confirmation procedure for aflatoxin B1 was conducted in laboratories in the United States, England, and West Germany. Twelve partially purified, dry film extracts from naturally and artificially contaminated roasted peanuts, cottonseed, and ginger root containing varying quantities of aflatoxin B1 were distributed to the participating laboratories. The extracts required additional cleanup before MS analysis, using either an acidic alumina column and preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) or a 2-dimensional TLC procedure. Recovery of purified aflatoxin B1 was influenced by the degree of recovery of sample from acid alumina and/or the TLC plate and incomplete elution of aflatoxin B1 from silica gel. Factors affecting MS confirmation included the purity and recovery of aflatoxin and MS instrument sensitivity. Aflatoxin B1 identity was confirmed in 19.5, 90.9, and 100% of samples containing less than 5, 5-10, and greater than 10 ng aflatoxin B1/g product, respectively, by solid probe introduction using full mass scans. The MS method has been adopted official first action.