This document describes a screening method for the determination of aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1 and B2, ochratoxin A, HT-2 and T-2 toxins, and zearalenone in foodstuffs by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).
The aim of the screening method is to test compliance of foodstuff with regulatory limits or to determine whether a certain pre-defined level (the screening target concentration, STC) is exceeded or not. The result of the screening is either "negative" or "suspect". "Negative" (screen negative) means that the targeted mycotoxins are not detected or potentially present but below the STC. "Suspect" (screen positive) means that the established cut-off level is exceeded and the sample can contain one or more mycotoxins at a level higher than the STC.
For full identification and accurate quantification a second confirmatory quantitative analysis method is required which is outside the scope of this document.
The method is suitable for various types of foodstuff and has been validated for representative matrices from four commodity groups:
- high starch and/or protein content and low water and fat content: wheat, cereal mixture, wheat flour and cornflakes;
- high oil content: peanuts;
- high sugar low water content: figs;
- high water content: grape juice.
During validation, cut-off levels were established for the following screening target concentrations:
- aflatoxin B1: 2 µg/kg to 5 µg/kg;
- deoxynivalenol: 250 µg/kg to 865 µg/kg;
- fumonisin B1: 200 µg/kg to 790 µg/kg;
- fumonisin B2: 110 µg/kg to 230 µg/kg;
- ochratoxin A: 4 µg/kg to 9 µg/kg;
- T-2 toxin: 25 µg/kg;
- HT-2 toxin: 25 µg/kg to 50 µg/kg;
- zearalenone: 30 µg/kg to 100 µg/kg.