Determination of multi-mycotoxins in vegetable oil via liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry assisted by a complementary liquid-liquid extraction

Development of an Integrated Multifunctional Column for Rapid Pretreatment and Determination of Trichothecenes in Cereals and Feeds with HPLC-MS/MS

The frequent detection of trichothecenes in grains highlights critical health risks to humans and animals. Based on the hybrid sorbent strategies, this study developed an innovative multifunctional column (ASAG563) integrating extraction, purification, and filtration to address limitations of existing methods, including cumbersome process, protracted duration, harmful to the environment, and significant matrix interference. Coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), the ASAG563 column demonstrated superior recoveries (80.8-117.8%) and quantification limits (2.02~48.41 µg/kg) across cereals and feeds, with low relative standard deviations (<6.8%). Compared to commercial MFCs, the ASAG563 column simplified the process, reduced material consumption, saved 50% of analysis time, and effectively eliminated matrix effects. Analysis of 512 maize for feedstuff samples from Northeast China revealed significant contaminations with deoxynivalenol (DON) and its derivatives, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced regulatory measures. This novel integrated multifunctional pretreatment column presents a convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution for accurate TCT detection, significantly advancing analytical capabilities.

Strategy to improve the confidence level of qualitative screening by high resolution mass spectrometry: A case study of mycotoxins in maize

Targeted, suspect and non-targeted screening by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is developing rapidly. In this study, a qualitative screening method was established using HPLC-HRMS on data dependent acquisition for the analysis of mycotoxins in maize. To ensure the sensitivity and applicability of the method, 41 mycotoxin standards were applied for method optimization. A quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRR) model was developed for retention time prediction and projection using machine learning, providing supplementary evidence for molecule annotation. The predicted errors were all below 0.5 min, contributing to improve the confidence level of suspect and non-targeted screening for mycotoxins. Thresholds affecting the accuracy of screening results were also investigated systematically. Performance metrics including Accuracy, F1 score, Matthew's correlation coefficient (MCC) were introduced to evaluate the qualitative screening method. The developed method was applied in the qualitative screening of collected maize samples, where 11 mycotoxins were screened at high confidence level.

The Potential of Multi-Screening Methods and Omics Technologies to Detect Both Regulated and Emerging Mycotoxins in Different Matrices

Mycotoxins are well-known secondary metabolites produced by several fungi that grow and occur in different crops during both pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions. The contamination and occurrence of mycotoxins currently represent some of the major issues in the entire agri-food system. The quantification of mycotoxins in different feeds and foodstuffs is extremely difficult because of the low concentration ranges; therefore, both sample collection and preparation are essential to providing accurate detection and reliable quantification. Currently, several analytical methods are available for the detection of mycotoxins in both feed and food products, and liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) represents the most reliable instrumental approach. In particular, the fast development of high-throughput methods has made it possible to screen and analyze, in the same analytical run and with high accuracy, multiple mycotoxins, such as those regulated, masked, or modified, and emerging ones. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the state of the art of mycotoxins occurrence, health-related concerns, and analyses, discussing the need to perform multi-screening approaches combined with omics technologies to simultaneously analyze several mycotoxins in different feed and food matrices. This approach is expected to provide more comprehensive information about the profile and distribution of emerging mycotoxins, thus enhancing the understanding of their co-occurrence and impact on the entire production chain.

Mycotoxins in Vegetable Oils: A Review of Recent Developments, Current Challenges and Future Perspectives in Sample Preparation, Chromatographic Determination, and Analysis of Real Samples

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that are formed as secondary metabolites by some fungal species that contaminate crops during pre- and postharvest stages. Exposure to mycotoxins can lead to adverse health effects in humans, such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity. Hence, there is a need to develop analytical methods for their determination in vegetable oils that possess high sensitivity and selectivity. In the current review (116 references), the recent developments, current challenges, and perspectives in sample preparation techniques and chromatographic determination are summarized. It is impressive that current sample preparation techniques such as dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), quick, easy, cheap, rugged, and safe method (QuEChERS) and solid phase extraction (SPE) have exhibited high extraction recoveries and minimal matrix effects. However, a few studies have reported signal suppression or enhancement. Regarding chromatographic techniques, high sensitivity and selectivity have been reported by liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection, tandem mass spectrometry, or high-resolution mass spectrometry. Furthermore, current challenges and perspectives in this field are tentatively proposed.