Quantitation of mycotoxins and tropane alkaloids in food using Triple Quadrupole and QTRAPTM technology

Introduction

Mycotoxins are compounds that are naturally produced by fungi, many of which grow on foodstuffs such as cereals, dried fruits, nuts and spices. Several of these mycotoxins have gained attention due to their toxicity towards human health, with reported adverse health effects including gastrointestinal and kidney disorders, immune deficiency and cancer. Humidity and temperature are important factors in fungal growth, and it is anticipated that climate change may impact the presence of these mycotoxins. This makes the low-level quantitation of mycotoxins in foodstuffs a high priority for food producers.

There are several EU regulations that control the prescribed limits of mycotoxins and other plant toxins in food. Regulation EU 2023/2782⁴ and 2023/2783⁵ control the methods for sampling and analysis for the control of mycotoxins and plant toxins in food. Regulation EU 2023/915¹ and EU 2024/1038² and Recommendation EU 2022/553³ stipulate the MRL values for mycotoxins and certain plant toxins in a variety of different food matrices.

Methods

Mycotoxin analysis must be comprehensive and able to deliver accurate and consistent results across a wide range of matrices. Highly sensitive instruments provide the possibility to minimize sample preparation steps and still obtain high quality, reliable quantitative results to meet the requirements of different requlations. In this poster, we will demonstrate a highly sensitive and robust LC/MS method by using SCIEX 7500+ system to quantify EU regulated mycotoxin compounds in different matrices, including baby food. Additional MRM3 quantitation method is employed to reduce the interference peaks and noise.

Preliminary Data or Plenary Speakers Abstract

Good chromatographic separation was achieved for all target mycotoxins over the 15-minute gradient method that allowed for the accurate quantitation down to the LOQ values reported here, with the LOQ defined by S/N of the quantifier ion >10, as well as an ion ratio of ±20% of the average, and accuracy 80-120%. Linearity (1/x weighting, r² > 0.99) was achieved for the calibration curves of all mycotoxins in all four matrices without the need for labelled internal standards LOQ values achieved for all compounds in baby food, almond, grape juice and wine. Average accuracy and precision were assessed for 5 replicate injections of the extracted baby food LOQ standard and found to be within acceptable validation requirements (accuracy ±20% and peak area %CV < 15%).

A simplified sample preparation method, without lyophilization, is used here. And all EU regulated MRL could be achieved. Furthermore, a single MRM3 experiment can be implemented with a scan time of only 60ms, so that up to two MRM3 scans can be undertaken, alongside the full mycotoxin screen using positive and negative MRMs with polarity switching, without any drop in sensitivity.