Gonçalves C, Tölgyesi Á, Bouten K, Robouch P, Emons H, Stroka J. Determination of Alternaria toxins in tomato, wheat and sunflower seeds by SPE and LC-MS/MS - a method validation through a collaborative trial.
J AOAC Int 2021;
105:80-94. [PMID:
34293145 PMCID:
PMC8824793 DOI:
10.1093/jaoacint/qsab094]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background
Alternaria toxins are ubiquitous contaminants in highly consumed food products. Therefore, they are candidates to be regulated by EU legislation. In this context, the availability of reliable analytical methods is a keystone both for protecting the health of citizens and smooth functioning of the European market.
Objective
This paper describes an advanced LC-MS/MS method based on isotope dilution quantification suitable for the determination of altenuene, alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, tenuazonic acid, and tentoxin in tomato puree, wheat, and sunflower seeds.
Methods
The method has been validated in an interlaboratory study that included the analysis of both spiked and naturally contaminated food commodities. Twenty-three participants contributed with analytical data.
Results
The average recoveries and relative standard deviations for repeatability and reproducibility obtained across the tested matrixes were: 97, 8.0, and 23%, for altenuene, respectively; 95, 9.2, and 17% for alternariol, respectively; 98, 6.4, and 13% for alternariol monomethyl ether, respectively; 97, 4.2, and 9.3% for tenuazonic acid, respectively; and 102, 5.6, and 15% for tentoxin, respectively. The method enabled the determination of all tested Alternaria toxins close to or below 1 µg/kg.
Conclusion
Overall, the method showed a satisfactory trueness and precision, complying with the requirements for the monitoring of mycotoxins in food in the EU. It is currently under evaluation by the European Committee for Standardization for adoption as a standard method.
Highlights
Isotope dilution mass spectrometry method for the determination of Alternaria toxins in food.
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