Exposure estimates to Fusarium mycotoxins through cereals intake

Mycotoxins are harmful substances produced by fungi in several commodities with a widespread presence in foodstuffs. Human exposure to mycotoxins occurs mainly by contaminated food. The quantitation of mycotoxins in cereal-based food, highly consumed by different age population, is of concern. In this survey, 159 cereal-based samples classified as wheat, maize and rice-based, have been evaluated for the occurrence of patulin, deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, fusarenon-X, diacetoxyscirpenol, nivalenol, neosolaniol, HT-2, T-2 and zearalenone by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Intakes were calculated for average consumers among adults, children and infants and compared with the tolerable daily intakes (TDI). Data obtained were used to estimate the potential exposure levels. 65.4% of the samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin and 15.7% of the analyzed samples showed co-occurrence of mycotoxin. The dietary exposure to HT-2 and T-2 toxins was estimated as 0.010 and 0.086 μg kg(-1) bw d(-1), amounting to 10% and 86% of the TDI, for adults and infants respectively. These results back up the necessity to take a vigilant attitude in order to minimize human intake of mycotoxins.

A survey of trichothecenes, zearalenone and patulin in milled grain-based products using GC-MS/MS

An analytical protocol based on QuEChERS and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was successfully applied for the determination of trichothecenes, patulin and zearalenone in 182 milled grain-based samples. The analytical method was validated following the SANCO 1495/2011 document. LOQs were lower than 10μgkg(-1) for the selected mycotoxins. Recoveries of fortified cereals ranged between 76-108% and 77-114% at 20 and 80μgkg(-1), respectively, with relative standard deviation lower than 9%. More than 60% of the samples analysed showed deoxynivalenol contamination, followed by HT-2 toxin and nivalenol with frequencies of 12.1% and 10.4%, respectively. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins was also present in major cereals. A risk characterisation was carried out based on probable daily intake (PDI) and tolerable daily intake (TDI). Despite PDI of the average consumers were below TDI, special attention should be paid in high consumers as well as other susceptible population.

Determination of mycotoxins in bee pollen by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Bee pollen, promoted as a natural food supplement, is consumed increasingly by people to maintain a healthy diet. Depending on environmental conditions, pollen can also be an optimum medium for growth of molds such as Fusarium and Penicillium . A quick, easy, cheap, rapid, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction procedure followed by a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) determination of eight selected Fusarium toxins in bee pollen was developed and optimized. Recovery studies at 20, 80, and 1000 μg/kg showed values between 73 and 95% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of <15% for all studied mycotoxins. Limits of quantitation (LOQ) ranged from 1 to 4 μg/kg. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of 15 commercial samples. Two of 15 samples showed quantifiable values for neosolaniol and nivalenol.

Multi-mycotoxin analysis in wheat semolina using an acetonitrile-based extraction procedure and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A new analytical method for the rapid and simultaneous determination of ten mycotoxins including patulin, zearalenone and eight trichothecenes (nivalenol, fusarenon-X, diacetoxyscirpenol, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, neosolaniol, deoxynivalenol, T-2 and HT-2) in wheat semolina has been developed and optimized. Sample extraction and purification were performed with a modified QuEChERS-based (acronym of Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) procedure and determined by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to triple quadrupole instrument (QqQ). This is the first paper on the application of GC-QqQ-MS/MS to analysis of mycotoxins. Careful optimization of the gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry parameters was achieved in order to attain a fast separation with the best sensitivity allowing a total run time of 16 min. The validation was performed by analyzing recovery samples at three different spiked concentrations, 20, 40 and 80 μg kg(-1), with four replicates (n=4) at each concentration. Recoveries ranged from 74% to 124% and the intra-day precision and inter-day precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, were lower than 13% and 17%, respectively for all studied compounds, except for zearalenone. Limits of quantification (LOQ) were lower than 10 μg kg(-1) for all studied mycotoxins. Eight concentration levels were used for constructing the calibration curves which showed good linearity between LOQ and 100 times LOQ concentration levels (linear range). Matrix-matched calibration for applying the method in routine analysis is recommended for reliable quantitative results. The method validated was successfully applied to fifteen wheat semolina samples detecting occurrence of mycotoxins at concentrations below the maximum permissible level.

Determination of macrolide antibiotics in meat and fish using pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

We developed a method for determining the quantities of seven macrolide antibiotics in meat and fish by using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (LC-(ESI)MS). The PLE was optimized with regard to solvents, temperature, pressure, extraction time and number of cycles. The optimum conditions were: methanol as the extraction solvent; a temperature of 80 degrees C; a pressure of 1500psi; an extraction time of 15min; 2 cycles; a flush volume of 150% and a purge time of 300s. All recoveries for macrolide antibiotics were over 77% at 200mug/kg, except for erythromycin, which was 58%. The repeatability and reproducibility on days in between, expressed as %RSD (n=12), were lower than 10% and 12%, respectively. The quantification limits of all compounds were 25mug/kg of dry weight of animal muscle except for troleandomycin (50mug/kg). The method was applied to determine the pharmaceuticals in real samples taken from 18 meat and fish samples. The results showed that PLE is quantitative short time consuming technique, with use of smaller initial sample sizes. Greater specificity and selectivity in extraction and increased potential for automation were shown.

Validation of a confirmatory method for the determination of macrolides in liver and kidney animal tissues in accordance with the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC

This study proposes a simple multiresidue liquid chromatography-diode array detector (LC-DAD) method capable of determining seven macrolide antibiotics in samples of liver and kidney animals at concentrations lower than those allowed by current legislation. Samples were prepared by homogenizing the tissue with EDTA-McIlvaine's buffer and extracted with an Oasis HLB cartridge. The consumption of organic solvent during extraction was minimum. The analytes were detected by LC-DAD and also by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (LC-(ESI)MS). The method was specific, stable and robust enough for the required purposes. The DAD method was validated in accordance with the European Commission Decision 657/2002. Recovery data were also satisfactory with values higher than 67% for most macrolide antibiotics extracted from liver and kidney samples spiked at 200 microg/kg, the lowest MRL established for the macrolides studied. The relative standard deviations (RSD (%), (n=3)) were lower than 13% and 15% for intra-day and inter-day assays. The method was applied to investigate the occurrence of the studied macrolides in 31 beef and kidney animal samples. The results obtained by LC-DAD for positive samples were compared to those obtained by LC-(ESI)MS. Therefore, the method with simpler instrumentation than a LC-(ESI)MS can be used as a control method and the results of the validation process demonstrate that this method is suitable for application in a European Union program for monitoring residues of veterinary drugs.

Exposure assessment of fruits contaminated with pesticide residues from Valencia, 2001- 03

A total of 634 samples of oranges, tangerines, peaches, nectarines, khakis and watermelons were collected from an Agricultural Valencia Community Cooperative during the May 2001 to April 2003 campaigns and they were analysed for 15 pesticides among those recommended for pest treatment. A conventional multiresidue analytical procedure based on ethyl acetate extraction was used followed by gas chromatography coupled to a nitrogen phosphorus detector for routine analysis; and mass spectrometry was performed for confirmation. Recovery studies with spiked samples at 0.5 mg kg-1 for each pesticide ranged from 52% for acephate to 87% for fenthion with a standard deviation <20%. Limits of quantification ranged from 0.1 to 100 microg kg-1. A total of 43% of samples contained pesticide residues; and 5% exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs). Nine of the pesticides studied were found. Malathion, which was the most frequently detected, was found in 121 samples (19%) at 0.002-4.25 mg kg-1; followed by fenthion in 104 samples (16%) at 0.005-2.3 mg kg-1; and methidation in 68 samples (10%) at 0.008-1.3 mg kg-1. Khaki showed the highest contamination rates with 60% of contaminated samples that exceeded more often the MRLs; and fenthion was the pesticide more frequently detected in all the commodities studied at levels above the European MRLs. The estimated daily intakes of each pesticide calculated from the results obtained were much lower than the acceptable daily intakes.

Quantification of Listeria monocytogenes in salads by real time quantitative PCR

A real time quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR) was carried out purifying DNA extracts of Listeria monocytogenes using a High Pure Listeria Sample Preparation Kit and quantifying in a LightCycler system with hybridisation probes. A standard curve was constructed with serial dilutions. A range linear relationship, from 10 to 10(5)L. monocytogenes colony forming units (CFU), was observed between threshold cycle (Ct) and logarithmic concentration of the serial dilutions. The assay was linear in a range from 10 to 10(5)L. monocytogenes CFU and the coefficient of determination (r2) was >0.98. RTQ-PCR presented an efficiency of >85%. The accuracy of the PCR-based assay, expressed as % bias, ranged from 9% to 26% and the precision, expressed as % CV, ranged 9-22%. Intraday and interday variabilities were studied at 10(2) CFU/g and resulted in 12% and 14%, respectively. The proposed RTQ-PCR method and classical cultural methods were applied to analyse 77 salads from restaurants in Valencia (Spain). All culture positive samples were also RTQ-PCR positive.

Real-time quantitative PCR of Staphylococcus aureus and application in restaurant meals

Staphylococcus aureus is considered the second most common pathogen to cause outbreaks of food poisoning, exceeded only by Campylobacter. Consumption of foods containing this microorganism is often identified as the cause of illness. In this study, a rapid, reliable, and sensitive real-time quantitative PCR was developed and compared with conventional culture methods. Real-time quantitative PCR was carried out by purifying DNA extracts of S. aureus with a Staphylococcus sample preparation kit and quantifying it in the LightCycler system with hybridization probes. The assay was linear from a range of 10 to 10(6) S. aureus cells (r2 > 0.997). The PCR reaction presented an efficiency of >85%. Accuracy of the PCR-based assay, expressed as percent bias, was around 13%, and the precision, expressed as a percentage of the coefficient of variation, was 7 to 10%. Intraday and interday variability were studied at 10(2) CFU/g and was 12 and 14%, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of 77 samples of restaurant meals in Valencia (Spain). In 11.6% of samples S. aureus was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, as well as by the conventional microbiological method. An excellent correspondence between real-time quantitative PCR and microbiological numbers (CFU/g) was observed with deviations of < 28%.

Rapid determination of ochratoxin A in cereals and cereal products by liquid chromatography

A new method based on extraction with octylsilica (C8) followed by liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (LC-FLD) was studied to determine ochratoxin A (OTA) from cereals and cereal products. Optimization of different parameters, such as type and amount of solid phase, type and volume of eluent and amount of sample were carried out. Recovery of OTA from rice samples spiked at 10 ng/g level was of 86% with relative standard deviation of 5%. The limits of detection and quantification of the proposed method were 0.25 and 0.75 ng/g, respectively. Furthermore, LC-FLD after of OTA methylation and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with an electrospray interface were used for confirmation of OTA in all studied samples. The proposed method was applied to 62 samples of cereals and cereal products and the presence of OTA was found in seven samples.

Application of solid-phase microextraction for determining phenylurea herbicides and their homologous anilines from vegetables

Residues of metobromuron, monolinuron and linuron herbicides and their aniline homologous were analyzed in carrots, onions and potatoes by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) performed with a polyacrylate fiber. A juice was obtained from food samples that were further diluted, and an aliquot was extracted after sodium chloride (14%) addition and pH control. At pH 4 only the phenylureas were extracted. A new extraction at pH 11 allowed the extraction of phenylureas plus homologous aniline metabolites. Determination was carried out by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosporus detection (NPD) the identity of the determined compounds was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Limits of quantification (LOQs) obtained with NPD and MS (selected-ion monitoring) were in the microg/kg order allowing determination of maximum residue levels (MRLs) established in the Spanish regulations. MRLs ranged from 0.02 to 0.1 mg/kg depending on the kind of food and herbicide. Under the proposed conditions matrix effects were low enough to permit calibration with samples proceeding from ecological (non-pesticide treated) crops. Twelve commercial samples of each carrots, onions and potatoes were analyzed and only three samples of potatoes contained residues of linuron at levels below MRLs.

[Prosthetic hip joint infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes]

The authors report an unusual case of prosthetic hip joint infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The patient, an 87-year-old lady who had undergone a right total hip replacement 10 years previously, presented with pain and restriction of hip motion three weeks after an episode of abdominal pain. Aspiration of the joint yielded a dark fluid, from which Listeria Monocytogenes type 4-b was isolated. Blood cultures remained negative. After prolonged antibiotic therapy, symptoms gradually resolved. A few months later, pain recurred with radiological signs of loosening of the femoral component. One-stage revision arthroplasty was performed combined with antibiotic treatment. The patient remains asymptomatic at one year follow-up. Laboratory data and x-ray control are normal. Prosthetic hip joint infection with Listeria monocytogenes is uncommon; few cases have been reported. The literature review shows that prolonged antibiotic therapy alone may be used in patients for whom removal of the prosthesis is not desirable, although revision arthroplasty or prosthesis removal remains necessary in the other cases.

Indirect analysis of urea herbicides from environmental water using solid-phase microextraction

We described here a solid-phase microextraction procedure used to extract six urea pesticides-- chlorsulfuron, fluometuron, isoproturon, linuron, metobromuron and monuron--from environmental samples. Two polydimethylsiloxanes and a polyacrylate fiber (PA) are compared. The extraction time, pH control, addition of NaCl to the water and the influence of organic matter such as humic acid on extraction efficiency were examined to achieve a sensitive method. Determination was carried out by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The proposed method requires the extraction of 2 ml of sample (pH 4, 14.3%, w/v, NaCl) for 60 min with the PA fiber. The limits of detection range from 0.04 for linuron to 0.1 microg/l for fluometuron and monuron and the relative standard deviations at the 1 microg/l level are between 15% and 9%. The apparent fiber-water distribution constants (Kfw) calculated in the proposed conditions were in the order of 10(3). Phenylurea herbicides were indirectly determined in the form of their derived anilines and chlorsulfuron in the form of an aminotriazine as confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Natural waters were utilized to validate the final procedure. However, a unequivocal identification in unknown environmental samples should be done by LC-MS. The presence of dissolved organic matter such as humic acid produces losses during the extraction step. Adding sodium chloride to the sample compensates for this effect.