Thermospray high performance liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of some fusarium mycotoxins

Analytical Methods for Trichothecenes Surveillance — An Overview Over the Period 1990—2000

This article reviews some aspects of analytical methods used to determine the occurrence of type A and B trichothecenes in grains and foodstuffs and their trends during the decade 1999—2000. A pronounced tendency to use extraction solvents less toxic than chloroform became evident. There was not a prevalent clean up process that pointed there were problems to obtain good recoveries of those mycotoxins. Taking into account the mean values of contamination found in the literature and the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake, a methodology suitable for a surveillance work should have a limit of quantification not greater than 50 μg/kg for deoxynivalenol and less than 10 μg/kg for T-2 and HT-2 toxins. Therefore, gas chromatography or thin layer chromatography could be used for type B trichothecenes while for type A trichothecenes, gas chromatography with electron capture or mass spectrometric detectors is the mandatory quantification method.

Multiclass mycotoxin analysis in food, environmental and biological matrices with chromatography/mass spectrometry

Mold metabolites that can elicit deleterious effects on other organisms are classified as mycotoxins. Human exposure to mycotoxins occurs mostly through the intake of contaminated agricultural products or residues due to carry over or metabolite products in foods of animal origin such as milk and eggs, but can also occur by dermal contact and inhalation. Mycotoxins contained in moldy foods, but also in damp interiors, can cause diseases in humans and animals. Nephropathy, various types of cancer, alimentary toxic aleukia, hepatic diseases, various hemorrhagic syndromes, and immune and neurological disorders are the most common diseases that can be related to mycotoxicosis. The absence or presence of mold infestation and its propagation are seldom correlated with mycotoxin presence. Mycotoxins must be determined directly, and suitable analytical methods are necessary. Hundreds of mycotoxins have been recognized, but only for a few of them, and in a restricted number of utilities, a maximum acceptable level has been regulated by law. However, mycotoxins seldom develop alone; more often various types and/or classes form in the same substrate. The co-occurrence might render the individual mycotoxin tolerance dose irrelevant, and therefore the mere presence of multiple mycotoxins should be considered a risk factor. The advantage of chromatography/mass spectrometry (MS) is that many compounds can be determined and confirmed in one analysis. This review illustrates the state-of-the-art of mycotoxin MS-based analytical methods for multiclass, multianalyte determination in all the matrices in which they appear. A chapter is devoted to the history of the long-standing coexistence and interaction among humans, domestic animals and mycotoxicosis, and the history of the discovery of mycotoxins. Quality assurance, although this topic relates to analytical chemistry in general, has been also examined for mycotoxin analysis as a preliminary to the systematic literature excursus. Sample handling is a crucial step to devise a multiclass analytical method; so when possible, it has been treated separately for a better comparison before tackling the instrumental part of the whole analytical method. This structure has resulted sometimes in unavoidable redundancies, because it was also important to underline the interconnection. Most reviews do not deal with all the possible mycotoxin sources, including the environmental ones. The focus of this review is the analytical methods based on MS for multimycotoxin class determination. Because the final purpose to devise multimycotoxin analysis should be the assessment of the danger to health of exposition to multitoxicants of natural origin (and possibly also the interaction with anthropogenic contaminants), therefore also the analytical methods for environmental relevant mycotoxins have been thoroughly reviewed. Finally, because the best way to shed light on actual risk assessment could be the individuation of exposure biomarkers, the review covers also the scarce literature on biological fluids.

Trace mycotoxin analysis in complex biological and food matrices by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure ionisation mass spectrometry

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that are growing on agricultural commodities. Their frequent presence in food and their severe toxic, carcinogenic and estrogenic properties have been recognised as potential threat to human health. A reliable risk assessment of mycotoxin contamination for humans and animals relies basically on their unambiguous identification and accurate quantification in food and feedstuff. While most screening methods for mycotoxins are based on immunoassays, unambiguous analyte confirmation can be easily achieved with mass spectrometric methods, like gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Due to the introduction of atmospheric pressure ionisation (API) techniques in the late 80s, LC/MS has become a routine technique also in food analysis, overcoming the traditional drawbacks of GC/MS regarding volatility and thermal stability. During the last few years, this technical and instrumental progress had also an increasing impact on the expanding field of mycotoxin analysis. The aim of the present review is to give an overview on the application of LC-(API)MS in the analysis of frequently occurring and highly toxic mycotoxins, such as trichothecenes, ochratoxins, zearalenone, fumonisins, aflatoxins, enniatins, moniliformin and several other mycotoxins. This includes also the investigation of some of their metabolites and degradation products. Suitable sample pre-treatment procedures, their applicability for high sample through-put and their influence on matrix effects will be discussed. The review covers literature published until July 2006.

Determination of aflatoxins in peanuts, maize feed and whole milk by HPLC-MS2 and MS3 tandem mass spectrometry

A method is presented for the detection of six toxins of fungal origin in various foods: peanuts, a sample of maize feed and whole milk. Extraction and HPLC-APCI-MS detection were discussed. The performances of MS/MS, MS3 and SRM detection modes were checked and best conditions of sensitivity were obtained in MS/MS mode.

Simultaneous quantification of A-trichothecene mycotoxins in grains using liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry

An approach for simultaneous determination of the main type A-trichothecenes by liquid chromatography and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry is described. Parameters for coupling of LC-MS such as cone voltage, nebulizing temperature and the LC flow-rate, were optimized to provide detection of mycotoxins with maximum sensitivity. Furthermore, the effects of cone voltage and temperature on the fragmentation pattern of the tested toxins were studied. Main type A-trichothecenes such as T-2 Toxin, HT-2 Toxin, acetyl T-2 Toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, monoacetoxyscirpenol (15-acetoxyscirpenol) and neosolaniol were separated on a reversed-phase narrow bore C18 column, using a linear gradient and a flow-rate of 0.3 ml/min. Mass spectra were obtained in positive ion mode for confirmation and quantitation. The method involves extraction and purification of toxins by using multifunctional Mycosep columns. Deuterated T-2 Toxin was used as an internal standard. A linear working range between 80 and 500 microg/kg in matrix with an acceptable correlation coefficient was observed. The developed method was validated by using a blank oats sample. The detection limit in the matrix was found to be between 50 and 85 microg/kg in selected ion mode for all tested A-trichothecenes. Recovery data were found to be between 77 and 101%. Within run and day-to-day precision were determined as having comparable levels to those found using GC methods. Furthermore, the matrix effect was investigated by comparing the internal standard versus the external standard method in quantification studies. In addition, the developed method was applied for the analysis of naturally contaminated oats, maize, barley and wheat samples.

High-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry as a new tool for the determination of the mycotoxin zearalenone in food and feed

A new method for the determination of the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZON) in food and feed, based on HPLC-MS with an atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface after extraction from cereals and clean-up by either conventional solid-phase or immunoaffinity cartridge is presented. The APCI interface parameters are optimized to provide detection of ZON with maximum sensitivity after RP separation of ZON on a C18 column with acetonitrile-water (40:60, v/v) at 1 ml/min column flow without split. Using APCI-MS detection, the sensitivity of the method was improved by a factor of ca. 50 in comparison to HPLC with fluorescence detection, allowing determination of ZON down to 0.12 microgram/kg maize which is well below present threshold values. Due to the selectivity of MS detection, it also was possible to quantitatively determine ZON both in raw extracts without clean-up using a normal-size (100 mm) chromatographic column or using only a short (20 mm) chromatographic column, when a clean-up was done to minimize possible interferences.

Occurrence and fate of fumonisins in beef

For 30 days, two groups of three steers each were fed a diet of herd-mix and alfalfa hay (control) or the diet with part of the herd-mix replaced by corn grits contaminated with 400 micrograms/g FB1 and 130 micrograms/g FB2. Premortem examination involved liver functionality tests; serum analyses for AST, GGT, LDH, cholesterol, and total bilirubin; urinalysis; and analyses of the blood, urine, and feces for the presence of fumonisins or their metabolites. Postmortem examination involved necropsy, histopathology, and analysis of tissue for fumonisins. Results of the liver functionality test indicated some hepatobiliary compromise in the test animals. Unmetabolized FB1 and FB2 were detected in the feces (> or = 80%), whereas trace amounts were detected in the urine. Postmortem analysis of the tissues showed 2070 ng/g FB1 in the liver (SD: 1870), 97.3 ng/g FB1 in the muscle (SD: 41), and 23.4 ng/g FB1 in the kidney (SD: 8.7).

Recent advances in analytical methods for mycotoxins

Recent advances in analytical methods are reviewed using the examples of aflatoxins and trichothecene mycotoxins. The most dramatic advances are seen as being those based on immunological principles utilized for aflatoxins to produce simple screening methods and for rapid specific clean-up. The possibilities of automation using immunoaffinity columns is described. In contrast for the trichothecenes immunological methods have not had the same general impact. Post-column derivatization using bromine or iodine to enhance fluorescence for HPLC detection of aflatoxins has become widely employed and there are similar possibilities for improved HPLC detection for trichothecenes using electrochemical or trichothecene-specific post-column reactions. There have been improvements in the use of more rapid and specific clean-up methods for trichothecenes, whilst HPLC and GC remain equally favoured for the end-determination. More sophisticated instrumental techniques such as mass spectrometry (LC/MS, MS/MS) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC/MS) have been demonstrated to have potential for application to mycotoxin analysis, but have not as yet made much general impact.

Chromatographic methods as tools in the field of mycotoxins

Achievements in the applications of chromatographic techniques in mycotoxicology are reviewed. Historically, column chromatography (CC) and paper chromatography (PC) were applied first, followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). Although PC techniques are no longer used in the analysis of mycotoxins, selected applications of PC are included to underline historical continuity. The most important achievements published from 1980 onwards are described. They include clean-up methods, TLC, CC, HPLC and GC of mycotoxins in environmental samples, foods, feeds, body fluids and in studies on biosynthesis and biotransformations of mycotoxins. Advantages and disadvantages of chromatographic techniques used in mycotoxicology are also evaluated.

Mass spectral investigations on trichothecene mycotoxins. VII. Liquid chromatographic-thermospray mass spectrometric analysis of macrocyclic trichothecenes

Thermally labile, polar toxic roridins and biologically active, isomeric baccharinoids were separated on a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography column and effectively ionized under thermospray ionization conditions. The mass spectra indicated the formation of corresponding molecular ion-ammonium adducts in great abundance. Experiments designed for monitoring specific ions of these analytes at predesignated intervals were utilized for the accurate analysis of these macrocyclic trichothecenes in real, crude samples. A synthetically modified macrocyclic trichothecene, 8-ketoverrucarin A, was used as the internal standard for the detection and quantification of these compounds. Minimum detectable limits, during this first reported method for the unambiguous analysis of these structurally related macrocyclic trichothecenes, were determined to be 2-5 ng.

Characterization of trichothecenes by ammonia chemical ionization and tandem mass spectrometry

Ammonia and deuterated ammonia chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra and collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectra of ammonium adduct ions are presented for ten trichothecenes. The samples were introduced by direct exposure probe. Effects of ion source temperature and pressure on the ammonia CI gas plasma and the formation of the ammonium adduct ion were studied. The CI conditions were optimized to produce a maximal yield for the ammonium adduct ion of trichothecenes, i.e. the parent ion for tandem mass spectral analysis. Besides source temperature and pressure, proton affinity and the stability of the ammonium adduct ion affect the relative abundance ratio of [M + H]+:[M + NH4]+ in ammonia CI and CAD mass spectra. The ratio [M + H]+:[M + NH4]+, and hence the stability of the ammonium adduct ion, are largely determined by the functional groups (hydroxy, carbonyl, acetoxy, and isovaleroyloxy) and their location in the trichothecene nucleus. The most abundant fragment ions in the ammonia CI spectra and the most abundant daughter ions in the CAD spectra of the ammonium adduct ions are formed by the losses of ammonia and functional groups as neutrals in various combinations.

A gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric screening, confirmation, and quantification method for estrogenic compounds

A method is described for the screening, quantification and confirmation of a variety of estronenic substances in animal tissues. A solid-phase extraction technique combined with a liquid/liquid extraction allows for rapid sample preparation and high throughput for the following compounds in bovine liver, muscle and kidney: diethylstilbestrol, dienestrol, hexestrol, zeranol, taleranol, zearalanone, zearalenone, zearalenol, estradiol and estriol. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring is used for the determination with detection limits ranging from 50 to 150 ppt.

Risk assessment of the mycotoxin zearalenone

Trans-zearalenone, a resorcylic acid lactone, also known as F-2 toxin, is a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by numerous species of Fusarium. As a result zearalenone is found in a number of cereal crops and their derived food products. A closely related substance "zeranol" (zearalanol) is at present being used in the United States and Canada as an anabolic agent in beef cattle. Zearalenone has been implicated in numerous incidences of mycotoxicosis in farm animals, especially pigs. In this report the health risks to Canadians due to the presence of zearalenone in food products have been evaluated. The first part of the report deals with the physicochemical aspects, mycology, laboratory production, and natural occurrence in plant products and animal products of zearalenone. The stability of zearalenone in foods and feeds, the effects of food processing, and the removal from foods and feeds by physicochemical means are also discussed. From these data the daily exposure of Canadians to zearalenone from food consumption has been estimated to be in the range of 0.05-0.10 microgram/kg b.w./day (mean and 90th percentile of eaters, respectfully) for young children, the highest consumption group on a body weight basis. The second part of the report deals with the metabolic disposition of zearalenone as well as the available toxicity data base of zearalenone in laboratory animals, farm animals, and humans. Studies in various species (rodents, rabbits, pigs, monkeys) including man have shown that zearalenone has estrogenic and anabolic activity. Its major effects are on reproduction, including reproductive organs and their function, leading to hyperestrogenism. Zearalenone has been implicated in numerous incidences of hyperestrogenism in farm animals, especially pigs. For reproductive effects a no adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 0.06 mg/kg b.w./day was estimated for the pubertal pig, the most sensitive species tested. Important differences in the biotransformation of zearalenone were noted, with greater amounts of alpha-zearalenol, the more estrogenic metabolite, formed in man and the pig compared to rodents. In addition, the biological half-life of these substances was longer in man than in other species tested. The binding of zearalenone to estrogen receptors was approximately 20-fold lower than that seen with 17 beta-estradiol in several assays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Analysis of some metabolites of T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol and deoxynivalenol by thermospray high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Detection and identification of mycotoxin metabolites is a very challenging task. In order to achieve adequate sensitivity and specificity an analytical technique must overcome serious matrix interferences. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) which has the sensitivity and specificity to detect and identify mycotoxin metabolites requires hydrolysis of conjugated metabolites as well as derivatization. Thermospray high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) offers the sensitivity, specificity, and structural information to detect and identify some mycotoxin metabolites in fecal and urine samples without derivatization. The mycotoxins evaluated in this study include deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin, and diacetoxyscirpenol. The de-epoxy and hydroxy metabolites of each toxin and the glucuronide conjugate of DON were isolated, extracted, and analyzed to detect their occurrence in animals. The thermospray mass spectra of the toxins showed an [M + H]+ ion and numerous structurally significant fragment ions in the positive ion detection mode. Negative ion detection exhibited primarily [M + acetate]- cluster ions with less fragmentation than observed by positive ion detection. The operation of the interface in the filament-on mode greatly increased the sensitivity in both positive and negative ion detection mode. Detection limits of 50-500 pg injected on column are obtained for these toxins and their metabolites using multiple ion detection. The urine and fecal extracts from rats, hens, and cows did not interfere with the HPLC-MS analysis for the specific metabolites or the glucuronide conjugate.

Determination of mycotoxins in grain by high-performance liquid chromatography and thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

An high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for determination of deoxynivalenol, patulin, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT-2-toxin, T-2-toxin, zearalenone and ochratoxin A using a reversed-phase column and a diode-array detector. The extraction and purification steps and optimum chromatographic conditions are described. Detection limits and recoveries from spiked wheat samples were investigated. The combination of the high-performance liquid chromatographic system described together with a modern thermospray quadrupole mass spectrometer is a very specific and sensitive method for analyzing a wide range of mycotoxins in biological samples.

Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of 2-nitrofluorene and its derivatives

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with a nebuliser and a moving belt was used to characterise 2-nitrofluorene, its metabolites and related compounds. In total, 13 different compounds were analysed. The LC-MS interface did not affect the chromatographic performance achieved by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method allowed determination of the positions of the hydroxyl groups in different hydroxylated 2-acetylaminofluorene derivatives. The LC-MS procedure generated acceptable mass spectra with as small amounts of substance as 65 ng. The dose-response curves from the HPLC-detector and the ion-source in the LC-MS were parallel and linear.

Detection of trace levels of trichothecenes in human blood using capillary gas chromatography-electron-capture negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective method has been developed for the simultaneous detection in blood of eleven trichothecenes of widely varying polarity. The procedure involved precipitation of blood proteins with acetone followed by a clean-up using reversed-phase Sep-Pak C18 cartridges. The extracted trichothecenes were derivatised as their pentafluoropropionyl esters, separated using capillary gas chromatography and detected using electron-capture negative ion chemical ionisation with methane reagent gas and selected-ion monitoring. Optimum sensitivity and selectivity were obtained using low source temperatures (60 degrees C indicated) and high source pressures (1 Torr indicated). Detection limits on 1-ml blood samples were in the range 0.1-5 ppb. The method was readily adaptable to the detection of other trichothecenes. A protocol was used which minimised the risk of cross-contamination. The method was validated in collaborative studies by the successful analysis of 42 blood samples spiked and submitted blind by two independent laboratories for analysis.

Analysis of trichothecene mycotoxins in human blood by capillary column gas chromatography-ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Capillary column gas chromatography-ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry was found to be an excellent technique for the trace detection and identification of underivatized trichothecene mycotoxins. Abundant (M + H)+ and/or (M + NH4)+ pseudo-molecular ions were observed for T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, T-2 triol, diacetoxyscirpenol, deoxynivalenol and verrucarol under the conditions developed. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of human blood samples spiked with mycotoxins in the 0-500 ng/g range during a recent interlaboratory exercise. T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol were detected in these samples in the 2-180 ng/g range. Detection limits of 0.7 and 3.6 ng/g for T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol, respectively, were possible owing to the specificity of the method.

Detection of trace levels of trichothecene mycotoxins in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method is described for the simultaneous detection of the trichothecene mycotoxins T-2, HT-2, T-2 tetraol, diacetoxyscirpenol, 15-monoacetoxyscirpendiol, scirpentriol, nivalenol and deoxynivalenol, in human urine. Samples were extracted from Clin Elut columns and cleaned up using reversed-phase Sep-Pak C18 cartridges. Trichothecenes were derivatised as their heptafluorobutyryl esters, and detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected-ion monitoring using electron impact ionisation. The method was validated by the analysis of 22 urine samples, spiked and submitted "blind" for analysis by another laboratory. An alternative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method using negative ion chemical ionisation is also described and a preliminary comparison of the two methods made. The methods enabled levels down to 1 ppb to be detected, with confirmation of identity at levels between 2 and 5 ppb, depending on the toxin.

Analysis of candidate anticancer drugs by thermospray high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and by high-resolution mass spectrometry

Thermospray high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (TSP-HPLC-MS) and direct probe high-resolution MS was used to analyze four candidate anticancer drugs. The techniques were used to confirm the identity of the bulk drug and to identify impurities. Analysis by TSP-HPLC-MS resulted in molecular weight information from the separated components using as little as 50 ng of each drug. The high-resolution direct probe MS analysis provided additional structural information and possible empirical formulas for the parent drugs and their impurities. The use of both of these complimentary techniques proved to be very specific for the detection of the anticancer drugs and for postulating the identity of impurities.