Detection of mycotoxins in cheese using an optimized analytical method based on a QuEChERS extraction and UHPLC-MS/MS quantification. (15th May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodríguez-Cañás, Inés; González-Jartín, Jesús M.; Alvariño, Rebeca; Alfonso, Amparo; Vieytes, Mercedes R.; Botana, Luis M.
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 408(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05-15
• Subjects: Mycotoxin -- Cheese -- UHPLC -- Mass spectrometry -- QuEChERS; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.135182
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: A UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed to analyze 32 mycotoxins in cheese. An optimization of the QuEChERS extraction was carried out to reduce of the matrix effect. It was found a high occurrence of beauvericin and enniatins in commercial cheese samples. Ochratoxin A was detected in three varieties of cheese. Abstract: Mycotoxins can produce toxic effects on humans; hence, it is of high importance to determine their presence in food products. This work presents a reliable method for the quantification of 32 mycotoxins in cheese. The analysis procedure was optimized based on a QuEChERS extraction process and the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) detection. The analysis method was validated for four cheese varieties (emmental, blue, brie and camembert) in terms of linearity, sensitivity, matrix effect, accuracy and precision. Satisfactory precision and accuracy values were achieved, with recoveries above 70% for most mycotoxins. The developed method was applied to the analysis of 38 commercial cheese samples. A high occurrence of beauvericin and enniatins were found, ranging from 31% for enniatin A to 100% for enniatin B. The ochratoxin A was detected in three samples at concentrations that may pose a risk to human health.