An overview of conventional and emerging analytical methods for the determination of mycotoxins

Removal of patulin from aqueous solutions by propylthiol functionalized SBA-15

Propylthiol functionalized SBA-15 silica was investigated to detoxify aqueous solutions contaminated with the regulated mycotoxin patulin. Micelle templated silicas with a specific pore size were synthetically modified to possess propylthiol groups, a functional group known to form Michael reaction products with the conjugated double bond system of patulin. BET surface area analysis indicated the propylthiol functionalized SBA-15 possesses channels with the pore size of 5.4 nm and a surface area of 345 m(2)g(-1). Elemental analysis indicates the silicon/sulfur ratio to be 10:1, inferring one propylthiol substituent for every ten silica residues. The propylthiol modified SBA-15 was effective at significantly reducing high levels of patulin from aqueous solutions (pH 7.0) in batch sorption assays at room temperature. The material was less effective at lower pH; however heating low pH solutions and apple juice to 60 °C in the presence of propylthiol functionalized SBA-15 significantly reduced the levels of patulin in contaminated samples. Composite molecular models developed by semi-empirical PM3 and empirical force field methods support patulin permeation through the mesoporous channels of propylthiol functionalized SBA-15. Density functional study at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level predicts the proposed patulin adducts formed by reaction with the thiol residues exhibit less electrophilic properties than patulin. It is demonstrated the use of propylthiol functionalized SBA-15 is a viable approach to reduce patulin levels in aqueous solutions, including contaminated apple juice.

An electrochemical competitive biosensor for ochratoxin A based on a DNA biotinylated aptamer

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most important mycotoxin contaminants of foods, particularly cereals and cereal products, with strict low regulatory levels (of ppb) in many countries worldwide. An electrochemical competitive aptamer-based biosensor for OTA is described. Paramagnetic microparticle beads (MBs) were functionalized with an aptamer specific to OTA, and were allowed to compete with a solution of the mycotoxin conjugated to the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (OTA-HRP) and free OTA. After separation and washing steps helped with magnetic separations, the modified MBs were localized on disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) under a magnetic field, and the product of the enzymatic reaction with the substrate was detected with differential-pulse voltammetry. In addition to magnetic separation assays, other competitive schemes (direct/indirect aptasensors performed on the SPCEs surface or using gold nanoparticles functionalized with the aptamer) were preliminary tested, optimized and compared. The magnetic aptasensor showed a linear response to OTA in the range 0.78-8.74 ng mL(-1) and a limit of detection of 0.07±0.01 ng mL(-1), and was accurately applied to extracts of certified and spiked wheat samples with an RSD lower than about 8%.

Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of contaminants in emerging food safety issues and food traceability

This review presents an overview of the applicability of CE in the analysis of chemical and biological contaminants involved in emerging food safety issues. Additionally, CE-based genetic analyzers' usefulness as a unique tool in food traceability verification systems was presented. First, analytical approaches for the determination of melamine and specific food allergens in different foods were discussed. Second, natural toxin analysis by CE was updated from the last review reported in 2008. Finally, the analysis of prion proteins associated with the "mad cow" crises and the application of CE-based genetic analyzers for meat traceability were summarized.

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination and distribution of linalool in Michelia alba

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array detection was established for the determination of linalool in the plant Michelia alba. Linalool was extracted from the plant sample with the aid of ultrasound, and was analyzed on a Waters RP C(18) column (4.6 x 150 mm, 5 microm) using an acetonitrile and water (55:45, v/v) mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 25 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was 210 nm. The linear range of the method was 5-200 microg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9975. The recovery was 92-112%, and the relative standard deviation was 1.85% (n = 9). The present method has been used to study the distribution of linalool in the plant Michelia alba. The plant samples include flowers, leaves and tender twigs. Furthermore, leaves included samples in their tender, grown-up and fallen phases, and flowers included samples in their juvenile, middle and whitening phases. The concentrations of linalool in different parts of the plant were 0.21-0.65%, 1.63-4.89% and 0.43% for leaves, flowers and tender twigs, respectively. The results showed that all the plant materials contained relative high concentration of linalool, and juvenile phase flowers contained the highest concentration of linalool. Notably, the fallen leaves also contained high concentrations of linalool, which could be a potential resource of this compound. The results obtained are very helpful for the potential full utilization of this plant.

Molecularly imprinted polymers for ochratoxin a extraction and analysis

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are considered as polymeric materials that mimic the functionality of antibodies. MIPs have been utilized for a wide variety of applications in chromatography, solid phase extraction, immunoassays, and sensor recognition. In this article, recent advances of MIPs for the extraction and analysis of ochratoxins are discussed. Selection of functional monomers to bind ochratoxin A (OTA) with high affinities, optimization of extraction procedures, and limitations of MIPs are compared from different reports. The most relevant examples in the literature are described to clearly show how useful these materials are. Strategies on MIP preparation and schemes of analytical methods are also reviewed in order to suggest the next step that would make better use of MIPs in the field of ochratoxin research. The review ends by outlining the remaining issues and impediments.

Molecularly imprinted polymer solid-phase extraction for detection of zearalenone in cereal sample extracts

The aim of this work was to develop a method for the clean-up and preconcentration of zearalenone from corn and wheat samples employing molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as selective sorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE). Cereal samples were extracted with acetonitrile/water (75:25, v/v) and the extract was diluted with water and applied to an AFFINIMIP ZON MIP-SPE column. The column was then washed to eliminate the interferences and zearalenone was eluted with methanol and quantified using HPLC with fluorescence detection (lambda(exc)=275/lambda(em)=450 nm). The precision and accuracy of the method were satisfactory for both cereals at the different fortification levels tested and it gave recoveries between 82 and 87% (RSDr 2.5-6.2%, n=3) and 86 and 90% (RSDr 0.9-6.8%, n=3) for wheat and maize, respectively. MIP-SPE column capacity was determined to be not less than 6.6 microg of zearalenone and to be at least four times higher than that of immunoaffinity column (IAC). The application of AFFINIMIP ZON molecularly imprinted polymer as a selective sorbent material for detection of zearalenone fulfilled the method performance criteria required by the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006, demonstrating the suitability of the technique for the control of zearalenone in cereal samples.

Magnetic nanogold microspheres-based lateral-flow immunodipstick for rapid detection of aflatoxin B2 in food

A novel membrane-based lateral-flow immunodipstick assay was developed for the fast screening of aflatoxin B(2) (AFB(2)) as a model compound in food samples. The detector reagent consisted of magnetic nanogold microspheres (MnGMs) with nano-Fe(2)O(3) particles as core and gold nanoparticles as shell, and bio-functionalized with monoclonal anti-AFB(2) antibodies. Manually spotted AFB(2)-bovine serum albumin conjugates (AFB(2)-BSA) and goat anti-mouse IgG on nitrocellulose membrane were used as test and control lines, respectively. As the major advantage, experimental results indicated that the visual detection limit (cutoff value) of the MnGM-based dipstick immunoassay with 0.9 ng/ml AFB(2) was about threefold lower compared to a conventional immunodipstick test using gold nanoparticles as detection reagent. Qualitative results (yes/no) could be obtained within 15 min without expensive equipment. The assay was evaluated with AFB(2) spiked or naturally contaminated samples (n=8), including peanuts, hazelnuts, pistacia and almonds, receiving excellent correspondance with results from high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Most importantly, the assay gave no false negative results. By controlling the target antibody this assay can be easily extended for use with other food relevant toxins and thus represents a versatile detection method.

Changes in metallothionein level in rat hepatic tissue after administration of natural mouldy wheat

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals. This work was aimed at investigation of influence of mouldy wheat contaminated by pathogenic fungi producing mycotoxins on metallothionein levels in hepatic tissue of rats. The rats were administrating feed mixtures with different contents of vitamins or naturally mouldy wheat for 28 days. It was found that the wheat contained deoxynivalenol (80 +/- 5 microg per kg of mouldy wheat), zearalenone (56 +/- 3 microg/kg), T2-toxin (20 +/- 2 microg/kg) and aflatoxins as a sum of B1, B2, G1 and G2 (3.9 +/- 0.2 microg/kg). Rats were fed diets containing 0, 33, 66 and 100% naturally moulded wheat. Control group 0, 33, 66 and 100% contained vitamins according to Nutrient Requirements of Rats (NRC). Other four groups (control group with vitamins, vit33, vit66 and vit100%) were fed on the same levels of mouldy wheat, also vitamins at levels 100% higher than the previous mixtures. We determined weight, feed conversion and performed dissection to observe pathological processes. Changes between control group and experimental groups exposed to influence of mouldy wheat and experimental groups supplemented by higher concentration of vitamins and mouldy wheat were not observed. Livers were sampled and did not demonstrate significant changes in morphology compared to control either. In the following experiments the levels of metallothionein as a marker of oxidative stress was determined. We observed a quite surprising trend in metallothionein levels in animals supplemented with increased concentration of vitamins. Its level enhanced with increasing content of mouldy wheat. It was possible to determine a statistically significant decline (p<0.05) between control group and groups of animals fed with 33, 66 and 100% mouldy wheat. It is likely that some mycotoxins presented in mouldy wheat are able to block the mechanism of metallothionein synthesis.