Multi-mycotoxin analysis: simultaneous clean-up of samples for 11 mycotoxins

Such methods allow the analysis of multiple mycotoxins in a single run. For laboratories using LC-MS/MS to analyse mycotoxins, we have developed new solid-phase extraction columns for the simultaneous clean-up of samples for 11 different mycotoxins.

- Whether corn, wheat, barley, seeds or dried fruit: mycotoxins can be present in many foods. Depending on the weather, some mycotoxins may also appear at the same time. It is not unusual to find different trichothecenes in one product, sometimes even combined with zearalenone. Other commodities may contain ochratoxin or fumonisins together with aflatoxin. Therefore, testing food for a single mycotoxin is usually not enough.

- However, carrying out multiple analyses efficiently and cost-effectively is a challenge. Therefore, multi-mycotoxin analyses are receiving increasing attention. Typically, such analyses are performed using LC-MS/MS. The required sample clean-up of many analytes can be performed in a single run using dedicated multi-mycotoxin clean-up columns.

Multi-mycotoxin clean-up: how it works

- Sample preparation is essential in LC-MS/MS analysis in order to obtain good results. Clean-up reduces matrix interference and improves the accuracy of results. The sample preparation workflow varies depending on the matrix and analyte. However, some methods allow the simultaneous clean-up of samples for many analytes – such as the new PuriTox Total Myco-MS columns. These are solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns, which allow the simultaneous preparation of grain samples for 11 different mycotoxins:

- Aflatoxin B1 toxin

- Aflatoxin B2 toxin

- Aflatoxin G1 toxin

- Aflatoxin G2 toxin

- Ochratoxin toxin

- Fumonisin B1 toxin

- Fumonisin B2 toxin

- Deoxynivalenol toxin

- Zearalenone toxin

- T-2 toxin

- HT-2 toxin

Unlike immunoaffinity columns (IAC), SPE columns contain solid sorbents selectively bonded to interfering components and pigments. They are then removed and the resulting eluate can be used for LC-MS/MS analysis. The entire sample preparation process takes only 20 minutes.