Analysis of Aflatoxins, Fumonisins, Deoxynivalenol, Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, HT-2, and T-2 Toxins in Animal Feed by LC-MS/MS Using Cleanup with a Multi-Antibody Immunoaffinity Column.

BACKGROUND: Regulations limiting aflatoxin levels in animal feed and guidance values for maximum levels for fumonisins (FB1 and FB2), deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZON), HT-2, and T-2 toxins are in place both to protect animal health and to minimize potential transfer to animal products for human consumption. A multi-mycotoxin method which can handle complex feed matrices such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is essential for analysis and accurate quantification without the need to revert to separately analyze individual mycotoxins. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to generate single laboratory validation data for a method employing a multi-antibody immunoaffinity column (IAC) capable of providing cleanup for eleven mycotoxins, followed by LC-MS/MS quantification without the need for isotopic labelled and matrix-matched standards. The applicability of method is to be demonstrated for corn feed, pig feed, and DDGS by fortification and naturally occurring mycotoxins covering the range of regulated limits. METHODS: Feed sample (1 kg) ground by milling to approximately 1-2 mm particle size and sub-sample (5 g) extracted with acetonitrile-water-formic acid, passing through a multi-mycotoxin IAC, washing, and eluting prior to LC-MS/MS analysis monitoring selected ion transitions. RESULTS: Recoveries were in the range 74 to 117% (excluding five outliers) for aflatoxins, FB1, FB2, DON, OTA, ZON, HT-2, and T2- toxins spiked into three commercial animal feed matrixes (n = 84) and within-day RSDs averaged 1.7 to 10.3% (n = 99). CONCLUSION: Single laboratory validation of a multi-antibody IAC method coupled with LC-MS/MS has shown the method to be suitable for accurate quantification of eleven regulated mycotoxins in DDGS, pig feed, and poultry feed. HIGHLIGHTS: IAC method capable of accurately quantifying eleven regulated mycotoxins in complex feed matrices.

Assessment of Citrinin in Spices and Infant Cereals Using Immunoaffinity Column Clean-Up with HPLC-Fluorescence Detection.

Historically, the analysis of citrinin has mainly been performed on cereals such as red yeast rice; however, in recent years, more complex and abnormal commodities such as spices and infant foods are becoming more widely assessed. The aim of this study was to develop and validate clean-up methods for spices and cereal-based infant foods using a citrinin immunoaffinity column before HPLC analysis with fluorescence detection. Each method developed was validated with a representative matrix, spiked at various citrinin concentrations, based around European Union (EU) regulations set for ochratoxin A (OTA), with recoveries >80% and % RSD < 9% in all cases. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were established at 1 and 3 µg/kg for spices and 0.1 and 0.25 µg/kg for infant cereals, respectively. These methods were then tested across a variety of spices and infant food products to establish efficacy with high recoveries >75% and % RSD < 5% across all matrices assessed. Therefore, these methods proved suitable for providing effective clean-up of spices and infant cereals, enabling reliable quantification of citrinin detected. Samples such as nutmeg and infant multigrain porridge had higher levels of citrinin contamination than anticipated, indicating that citrinin could be a concern for public health. This highlighted the need for close monitoring of citrinin contamination in these commodities, which may become regulated in the future.

Determination of Aflatoxin M1 in Liquid Milk, Cheese, and Selected Milk Proteins by Automated Online Immunoaffinity Cleanup with Liquid Chromatography‒Fluorescence Detection.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by a number of species of Aspergillus fungi. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 and is found in the milk of cows fed with feed spoilt by Aspergillus species. AFM1 is carcinogenic, especially in the liver and kidneys, and mutagenic, and is also an immunosuppressant in humans. OBJECTIVE: A high-throughput method for the quantitative analysis of AFM1 that is applicable to liquid milk, cheese, milk protein concentrate (MPC), whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and whey powder (WP) was developed and validated. METHOD: AFM1 in cheese, milk, and protein products is extracted using 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile with citrate salts. The AFM1 in the resulting extract is concentrated using RIDA®CREST/IMMUNOPREP® ONLINE cartridges followed by quantification by HPLC‒fluorescence. RESULTS: The method was shown to be accurate for WP, WPC, WPI, MPC, liquid milk, and cheese, with acceptable recovery (81-112%) from spiked samples. Acceptable precision for WP, WPC, WPI, MPC, liquid milk, and cheese was confirmed, with repeatabilities of 4-12% RSD and intermediate precisions of 5-13% RSD. Method detection limit and ruggedness experiments further demonstrated the suitability of this method for routine compliance testing. An international proficiency scheme (FAPAS) cheese sample showed that this method gave results that were comparable with those from other methods. CONCLUSIONS: A method for high-throughput, routine testing of AFM1 is described. The method was subjected to single-laboratory validation and was found to be accurate, precise, and fit-for-purpose. HIGHLIGHTS: An automated online immunoaffinity cleanup HPLC‒fluorescence method for milk proteins, cheese, and milk was developed and single-laboratory validated. It allows for high-throughput analysis of AFM1 and can be used for the analysis of AFM1 in whey protein products.

Determination of Total Biotin by Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup Extraction: Multilaboratory Testing, Final Action 2016.02.

Single- and multilaboratory testing data have provided systematic scientific evidence that a simple, selective, accurate, and precise method can be used as a potential candidate reference method for dispute resolution in determining total biotin in all forms of infant, adult, and/or pediatric formula. Using LC coupled with immunoaffinity column cleanup extraction, the method fully meets the intended purpose and applicability statement in AOAC Standard Method Performance Requirement 2014.005. The method was applied to a cross-section of infant formula and adult nutritional matrixes, and acceptable precision and accuracy were established. The analytical platform is inexpensive, and the method can be used in almost any laboratory worldwide with basic facilities. The immunoaffinity column cleanup extraction is the key step to successful analysis.

Analysis of Citrinin in Cereals, Red Yeast Rice Dietary Supplement, and Animal Feed by Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup and LC with Fluorescence Detection.

The analysis of citrinin in various cereals (wheat, oats, maize, rice, and rye and multigrain breakfast cereal), red yeast rice (dietary supplement and traditional medicine), distillers dried grain with solubles, and barley (animal feed) was carried out using a citrinin immunoaffinity column (IAC) for sample cleanup before LC analysis with fluorescence detection (LC-fluorescence). To establish method performance characteristics, wheat was spiked with citrinin at levels of 10-200 µg/kg, whereas red yeast rice was spiked at levels of 100-3000 µg/kg. Methanol-water (75 + 25, v/v) was used for the extraction of cereals and animal feed, and extraction was with 100% methanol for red yeast rice. Cleanup used a commercial citrinin IAC, followed by LC-fluorescence (λex, 330 nm; λem, 500 nm). Recoveries ranged from 80 to 110%, with r from 0.7 to 4.3%. The LOQ for citrinin in both wheat and red yeast rice was 10 µg/kg, with an LOD of 3 µg/kg. Satisfactory performance was demonstrated in a proficiency testing exercise for a sample of maize contaminated with both citrinin and ochratoxin A. It was concluded that the commercial citrinin IAC was capable of providing an efficient and effective cleanup of complex food and feed matrixes to enable citrinin to be reliably determined with the specific LC-fluorescence system used.

Automated Aflatoxin Analysis Using Inline Reusable Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup and LC-Fluorescence Detection.

A novel reusable immunoaffinity cartridge containing monoclonal antibodies to aflatoxins coupled to a pressure resistant polymer has been developed. The cartridge is used in conjunction with a handling system inline to LC with fluorescence detection to provide fully automated aflatoxin analysis for routine monitoring of a variety of food matrixes. The handling system selects an immunoaffinity cartridge from a tray and automatically applies the sample extract. The cartridge is washed, then aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 are eluted and transferred inline to the LC system for quantitative analysis using fluorescence detection with postcolumn derivatization using a KOBRA® cell. Each immunoaffinity cartridge can be used up to 15 times without loss in performance, offering increased sample throughput and reduced costs compared to conventional manual sample preparation and cleanup. The system was validated in two independent laboratories using samples of peanuts and maize spiked at 2, 8, and 40 µg/kg total aflatoxins, and paprika, nutmeg, and dried figs spiked at 5, 20, and 100 µg/kg total aflatoxins. Recoveries exceeded 80% for both aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins. The between-day repeatability ranged from 2.1 to 9.6% for aflatoxin B1 for the six levels and five matrixes. Satisfactory Z-scores were obtained with this automated system when used for participation in proficiency testing (FAPAS®) for samples of chilli powder and hazelnut paste containing aflatoxins.

Analysis of sterigmatocystin in cereals, animal feed, seeds, beer and cheese by immunoaffinity column clean-up and HPLC and LC-MS/MS quantification.

A method is reported for the analysis of sterigmatocystin in various food and feed matrices using a commercial sterigmatocystin immunoaffinity column (IAC) for sample clean-up prior to HPLC analysis by UV with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS). Cereals (wheat, oats, rye, maize and rice), sunflower seeds and animal feed were spiked with sterigmatocystin at levels from 0.75 to 50 µg kg(-1) to establish method performance. Using acetonitrile/water extraction followed by IAC clean-up, and analysis by HPLC with detection at 325 nm, recoveries ranged from 68% to 106%, with repeatability from 4.2% to 17.5%. The limit of quantification with UV detection in these matrices was 1.5 µg kg(-1). For the analysis of beer and cheese the sample preparation prior to IAC clean-up was changed to accommodate the different properties of the matrix, prior to analysis by LC-MS/MS. For beer and cheese spiked at 5.0 µg kg(-1) the recoveries were 94% and 104%, and precision (RSDs) were 1.9% and 2.9% respectively. The limits of quantification by LC-MS/MS in beer and cheese were 0.02 and 0.6 µg kg(-1) respectively. The sterigmatocystin IAC was demonstrated to provide an efficient clean-up of various matrices to enable this mycotoxin to be determined by either HPLC with UV detection or LC-MS/MS.

The use of immunoaffinity columns connected in tandem for selective and cost-effective mycotoxin clean-up prior to multi-mycotoxin liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric analysis in food matrices.

This paper describes the use of two immunoaffinity columns (IACs) coupled in tandem, providing selective clean-up, based on targeted mycotoxins known to co-occur in specific matrices. An IAC for aflatoxins+ochratoxin A+fumonisins (AOF) was combined with an IAC for deoxynivalenol+zearalenone+T-2/HT-2 toxins (DZT); an IAC for ochratoxin A (O) was combined with a DZT column; and an aflatoxin+ochratoxin (AO) column was combined with a DZT column. By combining pairs of columns it was demonstrated that specific clean-up can be achieved as required for different matrices. Samples of rye flour, maize, breakfast cereal and wholemeal bread were analysed for mycotoxins regulated in the EU, by spiking at levels close to EU limits for adult and infant foods. After IAC clean-up extracts were analysed by LC-MS/MS with quantification using multiple reaction monitoring. Recoveries were found to be in range from 60 to 108%, RSDs below 10% depending on the matrix and mycotoxin combination and LOQs ranged from 0.1n g/g for aflatoxin B1 to 13.0 ng/g for deoxynivalenol. Surplus cereal proficiency test materials (FAPAS(®)) were also analysed with found levels of mycotoxins falling within the satisfactory range of concentrations (Z score ≤ ± 2), demonstrating the accuracy of the proposed multi-mycotoxin IAC methods.

Immunoaffinity column cleanup with LC/MS/MS for the determination of chloramphenicol in honey and prawns: single-laboratory validation.

A single-laboratory validation was conducted to establish the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup procedure followed by LC/MS/MS for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in honey and prawns. Honey is dissolved in buffer solution and centrifuged, and an aliquot applied to an IAC. For prawns, a portion of the homogenized sample is shaken with buffer and centrifuged, and an aliquot similarly applied to an IAC. For both matrix extracts, CAP is removed from the IAC with neat methanol, then directly analyzed by electrospray LC/MS/MS in the negative ionization mode using m/z 321 as a precursor ion and m/z 257 and 152 as qualifier and quantifier ions, respectively. Test portions of blank honey and prawns were fortified with CAP to give levels of 0.3, 1.0, and 5.0 microg/kg. Recoveries of CAP on 3 consecutive days ranged from 83-103% for honey and 84-108% for prawns. Based on results for fortified blank matrixes (triplicate at three levels), the RSD for repeatability (RSDr) averaged 8.4% for honey and 4.8% for prawns. The method LOD was 0.05 for prawns and 0.16 microg/kg for honey, both well below the minimum required method performance limit for CAP. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated by participation in proficiency testing, where satisfactory Z-scores were obtained for CAP in incurred samples of both honey and prawns. The method was shown to be applicable to a wide range of other matrixes, including milk, egg, royal jelly, meat, and seafood products.