Application of Conventional Solid-Phase Extraction for Multimycotoxin Analysis in Beers by Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography−Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A new analytical method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1, fumonisins B1 and B2, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, HT-2 and T-2 toxins, and zearalenone) in beers. Mycotoxins were extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using C18 as the cartridge. Several parameters such as type of sorbent, elution solvent, and dilution of the sample were evaluated. The separation and determination were carried out by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The method was validated, and mean recoveries ranging from 70 to 106% were obtained. Repeatability and intermediate precision, expressed as relative standard deviations, were lower than 21% for all mycotoxins and levels assayed. The limits of quantification were lower than 0.5 microg/L. The developed method has been applied for the analysis of several types of beers with different alcoholic content (nonalcoholic, normal, and special), and T2, HT-2 toxins, aflatoxin B1, and fumonisin B2 were detected. This methodology combines the simplicity of SPE using conventional cartridges and UHPLC-MS/MS, producing a rapid, sensitive, and reliable procedure.