Determination of multiple mycotoxins in chili powder using cold-induced liquid–liquid extraction and Fe3O4@MWCNTs-NH2 coupled with UPLC-Q-TOF/MS

Abstract

Food matrix interference is still a big challenge in analyzing multiclass mycotoxins. Herein, a novel cold-induced liquid–liquid extraction-magnetic solid phase extraction (CI-LLE-MSPE) coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) method was explored for the simultaneous determination of multiple mycotoxins in chili powders. Fe3O4@MWCNTs-NH2 nanomaterials were prepared and characterized, and the factors affecting the MSPE process were investigated. Based on this, the CI-LLE-MSPE-UPLC-Q-TOF/MS method was established for determining ten mycotoxins in chili powders. The proffered technique eliminated the matrix interference effectively and demonstrated strong linearity (0.5–500 µg/kg, R2 ≥ 0.999), high sensitivity (limit of quantification was 0.5–1.5 µg/kg), and the recovery was 70.6%-111.7%. The extraction process is simpler than conventional methods, as the adsorbent can be separated using magnets, and reusable adsorbents are beneficial in reducing costs. In addition, the method can provide a valuable reference for pretreatment procedures for other complex matrices.