Structure elucidation and toxicity analyses of the radiolytic products of aflatoxin B 1 in methanol–water solution

Abstract

The identification of the radiolytic products of mycotoxins is a key issue in the feasibility study of gamma ray radiation detoxification. Methanol–water solution (60:40, v/v) spiked with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1; 20 mg L −1) was irradiated with Co 60 gamma ray to generate radiolytic products. Liquid chromatography–quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry was applied to identify the radiolytic products of AFB 1. Accurate mass and proposed molecular formulas with a high-matching property of more than 20 radiolytic products were obtained. Seven key radiolytic products were proposed based on the molecular formulas and tandem mass spectrometry spectra. The analyses of toxicity and formation pathways were proposed based on the structure of the radiolytic products. The addition reaction caused by the free-radical species in the methanol–water solution resulted in the formation of most radiolytic products. Based on the structure–activity relationship analysis, the toxicity of radiolytic products was significantly reduced compared with that of AFB 1 because of the addition reaction that occurred on the double bond in the terminal furan ring. For this reason, gamma irradiation is deemed an effective tool for the detoxification of AFB 1.