Molecularly Imprinted Polymer as Selective Sorbent for the Extraction of Zearalenone in Edible Vegetable Oils.

Paolo Lucci,Sabrina Moret,Stefano David,Chiara Conchione,Lanfranco Conte,Andrea Milani,Deborah Pacetti

doi:10.3390/foods9101439

Paolo Lucci, Sabrina Moret + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9101439

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Abstract

A method based on the selective extraction of zearalenone (ZON) from edible vegetable oils using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has been developed and validated. Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with a fluorescence detection system was employed for the detection of zearalenone. The method was applied to the analysis of zearalenone in maize oil samples spiked at four concentration levels within the maximum permitted amount specified by the European Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1126/2007. As a result, the proposed methodology provided high recoveries (>72%) with good linearity (R2 > 0.999) in the range of 10–2000 μg/kg and a repeatability relative standard deviation below 1.8%. These findings meet the analytical performance criteria specified by the European Commission Regulation No. 401/2006 and reveal that the proposed methodology can be successfully applied for monitoring zearalenone at trace levels in different edible vegetable oils. A comparison of MIP behavior with the ones of QuEChERS and liquid–liquid extraction was also performed, showing higher extraction rates and precision of MIP. Finally, the evolution of ZON contamination during the maize oil refining process was also investigated, demonstrating how the process is unable to completely remove (60%) ZON from oil samples.

Highlights

IntroductionFungi are ubiquitous organisms that represent a significant problem worldwide for the cereal production sector; their presence might result in deterioration of raw materials as well as reduction of nutritional value and safety, especially if considering that some fungal species may produce secondary metabolites (such as mycotoxins) that can be harmful to human and animal health [1]
Fungi are ubiquitous organisms that represent a significant problem worldwide for the cereal production sector; their presence might result in deterioration of raw materials as well as reduction of nutritional value and safety, especially if considering that some fungal species may produce secondary metabolites that can be harmful to human and animal health [1].Public concern associated with food and feed contamination with toxigenic fungi or their metabolites has significantly risen during the last decades
The proposed methodology demonstrates sufficient sensitivity for the determination of ZON at ppb levels: The instrumental limit of detection (ILOD) was 10 pg injected on column, while the limit of quantification (ILOQ) was 32 pg injected on column

Summary

Introduction

Fungi are ubiquitous organisms that represent a significant problem worldwide for the cereal production sector; their presence might result in deterioration of raw materials as well as reduction of nutritional value and safety, especially if considering that some fungal species may produce secondary metabolites (such as mycotoxins) that can be harmful to human and animal health [1]. Public concern associated with food and feed contamination with toxigenic fungi or their metabolites has significantly risen during the last decades. More than 300 mycotoxins produced by hundreds of fungi species are currently known [1,2]; several of these compounds have been proven to potentially have carcinogenic, teratogenic, nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, or hemorrhagic properties. Mycotoxin contamination inevitably poses a serious threat to global food safety and leads to enormous yield and economic losses [3,4,5]. The most commonly identified mycotoxins in food and feed comprise aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins (B1 and B2), patulin, and citrinin, among others [6].

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