Analysis of aflatoxins and ochratoxin a in chilli powder using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and tandem mass spectrometry

AbstractChilli powder, a popular spice, is predominantly contaminated with aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA), posing a menace to public health. As no validated method exists for the simultaneous and direct analysis of AFs and OTA in chilli powder, it was imperative to develop one to ensure their effective monitoring and promote trade. In this research, we developed and validated a multi-mycotoxin analysis method that allows the simultaneous determination of AFs (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) and OTA in chilli powder with high sensitivity, accuracy and precision. The optimised sample preparation workflow started with the extraction of chilli powder (25  g) with methanol–water (100 mL, 80:20). An aliquot (3 mL) was cleaned on a multi-mycotoxin, immunoaffinity column (AFLAOCHRA PREP®) and analysed using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence (UHPLC-FLD) and tandem mass spectrometric (LC –MS/MS) detection in a single chromatographic run. The method performance was evaluated through intra- and inter-laboratory validation (ILV) studies, and also by analysing a certified reference material. A direct analysis using UHPLC-FLD (without derivatisation) provided the limits of quantificati on (LOQ) of 0.25 and 1 ng/g for AFs and OTA, respectively, while the LOQ for all these mycotoxins in LC–MS/MS was 0.5 ng/g. These LOQs are much lower than the maximum levels (MLs) specified by the European Commission. The recoveries of these analytes at LOQ and high...
Source: Mycotoxin Research - Category: Toxicology Source Type: research