Sephadex LH-20 cleanup, high pressure liquid chromatographic assay, and fluorescence detection of zearalenone in animal feeds

A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described to determine zearalenone in animal feeds at levels as low as 0.01 ppm. Samples are extracted with chloroform-ethanol and initially purified using a SEP-PAK silica cartridge, followed by column chromatography using Sephadex LH-20. Separation by normal phase HPLC is followed by fluorescence detection. Recoveries at levels of 1.0-0.01 ppm averaged greater than 90%. Confirmation included HPLC analysis of the sample and a zearalenone standard, using 3 different excitation wavelengths, and comparison of fluorescence responses obtained. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of 1 corn and 3 cornmeal samples. Zearalenone was detected in all 4 samples at levels of 0.379-19.2 ppm.