Comparison of Fast LC/LIF vs Capillary LC/LIF for Mycotoxins: Aflatoxins B2, G2, M2 and Ochratoxins A in Native Fluorescence
Mycotoxins are toxins that are naturally produced by organisms of the fungus family such as mushrooms, molds and yeasts. These toxins are commonly found in foodstuffs derived from plants, such as cereals, coffee, nuts, fruits, spices and beverages. Many toxins show various toxicological manifestations; some are teratogenic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic, and are associated with various diseases.
Since there is no minimum threshold for some mycotoxins such as Aflatoxins, it is not possible to determine an admissible daily dosage. The acceptable limits for consumption of these toxins are therefore established at the lowest concentrations that can be reliably determined.
This study was undertaken to compare two different analytical methods associated with Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) detection for mycotoxins. In this application note, we compare the run time and sensitivity for Aflatoxins M2, B2, G2 and Ochratoxin A using a Fast-LC/LIF method and a capillary-LC/LIF method .
FAST LC-LIF 325 NM
High Speed Separation of mycotoxins : Less than 3 minutes for a run
Limit of detection:
- Aflatoxin M2: 188 ppt (188 pg/mL)
- Aflatoxin G2: 176 ppt (176 pg/mL)
- Aflatoxin B2: 254 ppt (254 pg/mL)
- Ochratoxin A: 294 ppt (294 pg/mL)
(LOD calculated for a S/N ratio of 3)
Sample injection of 10 µL
Sample | Standards : Aflatoxins M2, B2, G2 and Ochratoxin A at 10 ppb (10 ng/mL) |
Instruments | Waters® ACQUITY Ultra Performance LC® System Picometrics ZETALIF detector. Laser: 325 nm, 15 mW |
Method | Flow rate: 100 µl/min Column temperature= 40°C Column: Acquity UPLC BEH C18 1.7µm 1.0x50mm Capillary: 150 µm ID Phases : – A : Distilled water and 1% acetic acid – B : Acetonitrile |
High Sensitive Separation of mycotoxins : about 10 ppt
Run Time: 11 minutes
Limit of detection:
- Aflatoxin M2: 11.0 ppt (11 pg/mL)
- Aflatoxin G2: 2.8 ppt (2.8 pg/mL)
- Aflatoxin B2: 3.7 ppt (3.7 pg/mL)
- Ochratoxin A: 3.5 ppt (3.5 pg/mL)
(LOD calculated for a S/N ratio of 3)
Sample injection of 10 µL
Sample | Standards : Aflatoxins M2, B2, G2 and Ochratoxin A at 1 ppb (1 ng/mL) |
Instruments | Detector: Picometrics ZETALIF detector, Laser: 325 nm, 15 mW Capillary HPLC: Ultimate LC-Packing system |
Method | Mobile Phase: – A : Distilled water and 1% acetic acid – B : Acetonitrile Flow rate: 8,5 µL/min, Injection volume: 10 µL, Column: Crom C18, 3µm 150mm x 300µm Capillary: 150 µm ID |
Fast LC-LIF | Capillary LC-LIF | |
Run Time | 3 min | 11 min |
Injection volume | 10µL | 10µL |
Column | 50mm x 1.0mm ID | 150mm x 300µm ID |
Flow rate | 100 µL/min | 8.5 µL/min |
LOD Aflatoxin M2 | 188 ppt* | 11.0 ppt* |
LOD Aflatoxin G2 | 176 ppt* | 2.8 ppt* |
LOD Aflatoxin B2 | 254 ppt* | 3.7 ppt* |
LOD Ochratoxin A | 294 ppt* | 3.5 ppt* |
* 1ppt = 1 picogram/g = 1 picogram/mL