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Cherewyk JE, Blakley BR, Al-Dissi AN. The C-8-S-isomers of ergot alkaloids - a review of biological and analytical aspects. Mycotoxin Res 2024; 40:1-17. [PMID: 37953416 PMCID: PMC10834577 DOI: 10.1007/s12550-023-00507-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Ergot alkaloids are secondary metabolites that are produced by fungi and contaminate cereal crops and grasses. The ergot alkaloids produced by Claviceps purpurea are the most abundant worldwide. The metabolites exist in two configurations, the C-8-R-isomer (R-epimer) and the C-8-S-isomer (S-epimer). These two configurations can interconvert to one another. Ergot alkaloids cause toxic effects after consumption of ergot-contaminated food and feed at various concentrations. For bioactivity reasons, the C-8-R-isomers have been studied to a greater extent than the C-8-S-isomer since the C-8-S-isomers were considered biologically inactive. However, recent studies suggest the contrary. Analytical assessment of ergot alkaloids now includes the C-8-S-isomers and high concentrations of specific C-8-S-isomers have been identified. The inclusion of the C-8-S-isomer in regulatory standards is reviewed. This review has identified that further research into the C-8-S-isomers of ergot alkaloids is warranted. In addition, the inclusion of the C-8-S-isomers into regulatory recommendations worldwide for food and feed should be implemented. The objectives of this review are to provide an overview of historic and current studies that have assessed the C-8-S-isomers. Specifically, this review will compare the C-8-R-isomers to the C-8-S-isomers with an emphasis on the biological activity and analytical assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jensen E Cherewyk
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
| | - Barry R Blakley
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Ahmad N Al-Dissi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
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García-Juan A, León N, Armenta S, Pardo O. Development and validation of an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 12 ergot, 2 tropane, and 28 pyrrolizidine alkaloids in cereal-based food by LC-MS/MS. Food Res Int 2023; 174:113614. [PMID: 37986536 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Alkaloids are naturally occurring compounds containing basic nitrogen atoms. They are biosynthesized mainly by plants but also by some fungi species. Many alkaloids are toxic to humans and animals, and they have been classified as food contaminants. Among them, ergot, tropane, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids have maximum levels in foods, established by the Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915. In this study, an analytical method was successfully developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 42 ergot, tropane, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides in cereal-based food. The method includes QuEChERS-based extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed method was validated providing recoveries ranging from 71 to 119 %, intra- and inter-day precision lower than 19 %, and limits of quantification between 0.5 and 1.0 µg kg-1. Finally, the analysis of reference materials coming from FAPAS proficiency tests demonstrated the suitability for purpose of the methodology (z-scores < 2). Nine cereal-based products samples were analyzed of which ergot alkaloids were detected in two of them, while one sample showed the presence of three pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro García-Juan
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Nuria León
- Agrifood, Ecological and Environmental Laboratory of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Pintor Goya 8, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Sergio Armenta
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Olga Pardo
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
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Silva Â, Mateus ARS, Barros SC, Silva AS. Ergot Alkaloids on Cereals and Seeds: Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Future Perspectives. Molecules 2023; 28:7233. [PMID: 37894711 PMCID: PMC10609535 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ergot alkaloids are secondary metabolites resulting from fungi of the genus Claviceps that have proven to be highly toxic. These mycotoxins commonly infect cereal crops such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Due to the increase worldwide consumption of cereal and cereal-based products, the presence of ergot alkaloids in food presents a concern for human safety. For this reason, it is essential to develop several analytical methods that allow the detection of these toxic compounds. This review compiles and discusses the most relevant studies and methods used in the detection and quantification of ergot alkaloids. Moreover, the decontamination techniques are also addressed, with special attention to sorting, cleaning, frying, baking, peeling, and ammonization methods, as they are the only ones already applied to ergot alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ângela Silva
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Polo III, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (Â.S.); (A.R.S.M.)
| | - Ana Rita Soares Mateus
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Polo III, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (Â.S.); (A.R.S.M.)
- National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P., 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal;
| | - Sílvia Cruz Barros
- National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P., 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal;
| | - Ana Sanches Silva
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Polo III, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (Â.S.); (A.R.S.M.)
- Center for Study in Animal Science (CECA), ICETA, University of Oporto, 4501-401 Oporto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
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Cherewyk JE, Grusie-Ogilvie TJ, Parker SE, Blakley BR, Al-Dissi AN. The Impact of Storage Temperature and Time on Ergot Alkaloid Concentrations. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:497. [PMID: 37624254 PMCID: PMC10467117 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Ergot sclerotia produce toxic secondary metabolites, ergot alkaloids, that infect cereal crops and grasses. Ergot alkaloids have two isomeric configurations: the C-8-R-isomer (R-epimer), and the C-8-S-isomer (S-epimer). Ergot contaminated matrices, such as cereal grains or grasses, may be stored for extended periods at various temperatures before being analyzed, utilized, or consumed. This study assessed the concentration of six common ergot alkaloids in both configurations found in naturally contaminated wheat over time (one, two, and four months) at different temperatures (room temperature, +4 °C, and -20 °C) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The data indicate that the total ergot concentration within a natural contaminated sample varies over time at room temperature, +4 °C, and -20 °C. The total ergot concentration increased until month two, and decreased at month four, independent of temperature (p < 0.05). The total R-epimer concentration appeared to be less stable over time than the total S-epimer concentration. The changes in the total R and total S-epimer concentrations may have been caused by changes in the ergocristine and ergocristinine concentrations, respectively. Time and temperature should be considered when storing potentially contaminated matrices in a laboratory or practical agriculture situations. Quantification of ergot contaminated matrices should occur prior to their use to ensure the most reliable estimates of the concentration of ergot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jensen E. Cherewyk
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada;
| | | | - Sarah E. Parker
- Centre for Applied Epidemiology, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada;
| | - Barry R. Blakley
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada;
| | - Ahmad N. Al-Dissi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada;
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Carbonell-Rozas L, Hernández-Mesa M, Righetti L, Monteau F, Lara FJ, Gámiz-Gracia L, Bizec BL, Dall'Asta C, García-Campaña AM, Dervilly G. Ion mobility-mass spectrometry to extend analytical performance in the determination of ergot alkaloids in cereal samples. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1682:463502. [PMID: 36174373 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This work evaluates the potential of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) to improve the analytical performance of current liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) workflows applied to the determination of ergot alkaloids (EAs) in cereal samples. Collision cross section (CCS) values for EA epimers are reported for the first time to contribute to their unambiguous identification. Additionally, CCS values have been inter-laboratory cross-validated and compared with CCS values predicted by machine-learning models. Slight differences were observed in terms of CCS values for ergotamine, ergosine and ergocristine and their corresponding epimers (from 3.3 to 4%), being sufficient to achieve a satisfactory peak-to-peak resolution for their unequivocal identification. A LC-travelling wave ion mobility (TWIM)-MS method has been developed for the analysis of EAs in barley and wheat samples. Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) was improved between 2.5 and 4-fold compared to the analog LC-TOF-MS method. The quality of the extracted ion chromatograms was also improved by using IMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Carbonell-Rozas
- Oniris, INRAE, LABERCA, 44300 Nantes, France; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maykel Hernández-Mesa
- Oniris, INRAE, LABERCA, 44300 Nantes, France; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Laura Righetti
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Francisco J Lara
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Gámiz-Gracia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Chiara Dall'Asta
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Ana M García-Campaña
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Undertaking a New Regulatory Challenge: Monitoring of Ergot Alkaloids in Italian Food Commodities. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120871. [PMID: 34941709 PMCID: PMC8708126 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The present manuscript reports on monitoring data of 12 ergot alkaloids (EAs) in cereal and cereal-derived products, collected in Italy over the period 2017-2020, for official control purposes under the edge of the Commission Recommendation 2012/154/EU on the monitoring of the presence of EAs in feed and food. To these purposes, an LC-MS/MS method was set up and applied, after in-house verification of its analytical performance. Besides satisfactory recoveries and precision, the method's quantification limits proved suitable to assess the compliance of cereals and cereal-based foods with the recently issued EU maximum permitted levels (Commission Regulation 2021/1399/EU). The validity of the generated data was also evaluated through the adoption of four proficiency tests, from which acceptable z-score values (-2 ≤ z ≤ 2) were obtained. The method was then applied to analyse a total of 67 samples, collected in Italy over the period 2017-2020. The samples consisted of 18 cereal grains, 16 flours (14 of wheat and 2 of spelt) and 31 other types of cereals derivatives (including 9 for infants). Overall, the EAs analysis returned a high percentage of left-censored data (>86%). Among the positive samples, the highest contamination levels, up to 94.2 µg/kg, were found for ergocristine (12% incidence), followed by ergocristinine (7% incidence) with levels of up to 48.3 µg/kg.
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Regulated and Non-Regulated Mycotoxin Detection in Cereal Matrices Using an Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) Method. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110783. [PMID: 34822567 PMCID: PMC8625905 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cereals represent a widely consumed food commodity that might be contaminated by mycotoxins, resulting not only in potential consumer health risks upon dietary exposure but also significant financial losses due to contaminated batch disposal. Thus, continuous improvement of the performance characteristics of methods to enable an effective monitoring of such contaminants in food supply is highly needed. In this study, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a hybrid quadrupole orbitrap mass analyzer (UHPLC-q-Orbitrap MS) method was optimized and validated in wheat, maize and rye flour matrices. Nineteen analytes were monitored, including both regulated mycotoxins, e.g., ochratoxin A (OTA) or deoxynivalenol (DON), and non-regulated mycotoxins, such as ergot alkaloids (EAs), which are analytes that are expected to be regulated soon in the EU. Low limits of quantification (LOQ) at the part per trillion level were achieved as well as wide linear ranges (four orders of magnitude) and recovery rates within the 68–104% range. Overall, the developed method attained fit-for-purpose results and it highlights the applicability of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) detection in mycotoxin food analysis.
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