QuEChERS-LC-QTOFMS for the simultaneous determination of legislated and emerging mycotoxins in malted barley and beer using matrix-matched calibration as a solution to the commercial unavailability of internal standards for some mycotoxins. (30th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lago, Laura Oliveira; Nievierowski, Tássia Henrique; Mallmann, Luana Peixoto; Rodrigues, Eliseu; Welke, Juliane Elisa
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 345(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-30
• Subjects: Mycotoxins -- Malt, beer -- LC-MS -- Multi-mycotoxin method; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128744
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: QuEChERS-LC-QTOFMS was successfully applied to the analysis of legislated and emerging mycotoxins. Matrix-matched calibration avoided inaccurate quantification of mycotoxins. Suitable recovery percentages were obtained for all mycotoxins (71 to 102%). The lowest values of LOD (0.01 μg kg −1 ) and LOQ (0.05 μg kg −1 ) were found for enniatins. None of the malt and craft beer samples exhibited detectable levels of any of the 17 mycotoxins. Abstract: The combination of QuEChERS-LC-QTOFMS and matrix-matched calibration (MMC) to simultaneously determinate legislated and emerging mycotoxins in malt and beer was evaluated for the first time. The method performance was satisfactory displaying suitable linearity (R 2 >0.99) and recovery (71–102%). The lowest values (in μg kg −1 ) of LOD (0.01) and LOQ (0.05) were found for enniatins, while the highest LOD (15) and LOQ (50) were reported for fumonisin B1. Precision and sensitivity (RSD <10%) were in accordance with the different guidelines of method validation. MMC was important to avoid inaccurate quantification of all mycotoxins due to signal enhancement or suppression. Another advantage was the enhanced throughput, requiring 1.2 min of analysis per analyte. The detection of legislated (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1, zearalanone, T-2 and HT-2 toxin) and emerging mycotoxins (enniatins, beauvericin, moniliformin and sterigmatocystin) allowed verifying compliance with legislation and generating data to support the establishment of limits for emerging mycotoxins.