Moniliformin analysis in maize samples from North-West Italy using multifunctional clean-up columns and the LC-MS/MS detection method

Abstract

A fast clean-up method has been developed to purify maize extracts and to detect moniliformin (MON) in maize samples from North-West Italy over a four-year period (2008–2011). The method is based on the use of MycoSep® 240 Mon clean-up columns (Romer Labs^®). Samples were extracted using acetonitrile/water (84:16, v/v), and the extracts were purified with previously described clean-up columns. The liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrography (LC-MS/MS) analysis has been carried out by means of hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), combined with negative electrospray mass spectrometry. The method has a recovery of 76–91% (relative standard deviation, RSD%: 6–14%), a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 µg kg^–1 and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 4 µg kg⁻¹. Naturally contaminated maize (108 samples) was analysed for MON content. The average percentages of positive samples was 93% with the following ranges (µg kg⁻¹): 33–2606 (2008); <LOD–527 (2009); <LOD–920 (2010); <LOD–409 (2011).

Keywords:

• moniliformin
• maize
• mycosep clean-up columns
• LC-MS/MS
• Fusarium

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the financial support of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (MIPAAF), as a part of the MICOPRINCEM project (Coordinator Dr. Maria Grazia D’Egidio, CRA–QCE), for conducting the research.