Abstract
An improved analytical method is reported for the determination of six aflatoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, and M2) in infant cereals by ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The optimization of extraction, cleanup, separation, and mass spectrometry parameters were the focus of this study. Low limits of quantification (LOQs) of six aflatoxins ranged from 0.004–0.026 µg/kg. Reasonable recoveries (80.7–118.3%) of six aflatoxins for infant cereals were demonstrated for different spiked levels within the linear range (0.01–20 µg/kg). The developed analytical method was employed for the determination of aflatoxins in infant cereals from Hangzhou, China. Only aflatoxin B1 was detected in cereal (6.7%), at levels ranging from 0.016 to 0.024 µg/kg.