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Simultaneous determination of aflatoxins, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and fumonisins in cereal-derived products by QuEChERS extraction coupled with LC-MS/MS

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Abstract

A fast, easy, and cheap method for the simultaneous determination and quantification of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2), T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and fumonisins (B1, B2) in cereal-derived products was developed. This method involved a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method validation was performed by analyzing samples spiked at four levels, and the recoveries ranged from 83.6 to 102.9%, whereas the maximum values of repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility were 14.3 and 15.7% following the performance criteria set by the European legislation. The method was then applied for the analysis of 21 cereal-derived products purchased on the Italian market, which were correctly packaged and labeled as intended for human consumption. The co-occurrence of more than one mycotoxin in the analyzed samples could represent a risk for consumers, and the described method could be a valid alternative for their simultaneous detection in the framework of official control.

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Correspondence to Pierina Visciano.

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Annunziata, L., Stramenga, A., Visciano, P. et al. Simultaneous determination of aflatoxins, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and fumonisins in cereal-derived products by QuEChERS extraction coupled with LC-MS/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 409, 5143–5155 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0462-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0462-z

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