ABSTRACT
The technique of choice for the selective and sensitive detection and quantification of multiple mycotoxins is ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) or especially tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). For a reliable detection and quantification of the mycotoxins in complex and difficult samples such as food, environmental and biological samples well-performing analytical methods are needed. Mycotoxins are toxic and carcinogenic metabolites produced by fungi that colonize food crops and they may often occur in food products. Various mycotoxins in tea, herbal infusions, and the derived drinkable products were determined by UPLC MS/MS using a C18 column and a mobile phase containing methanol, water and formic acid. The separation of mycotoxins on C18 columns was performed by using mobile phases consisting of organic modifier, water, and ammonia. Aflatoxin M1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and a-zearalenol were quantified in milk by UPLC MS/MS.
