Simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B₁ and M₁ in milk, fresh milk and milk powder by LC-MS/MS utilising online turbulent flow chromatography

Abstract

A novel, fully automated method based on dual-column switching using online turbulent flow chromatography followed by LC-MS/MS was developed for the determination of aflatoxin B₁ and M₁ in milk, fresh milk and milk powder samples. After ultrasound-assisted extraction, samples were directly injected into the chromatographic system and the analytes were concentrated on the clean-up loading column. Through purge switch, analytes were transferred to the analytical column for subsequent detection by mass spectrometry. Different types of TurboFlow^TM columns, transfer flow rates and transfer times were optimised. Method limits of detection obtained for AFB₁ and AFM₁ were 0.05 μg kg^–1, and limits of quantification were 0.1 μg kg^–1. Recoveries of aflatoxin B₁ and M₁ were in range of 81.1–102.1% for all samples. Matrix effects of aflatoxin B₁ and M₁ were in range of 63.1–94.3%. The developed method was successfully used for the analysis of aflatoxin B₁ and M₁ in real samples.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• aflatoxin B₁ and M₁
• online turbulent flow chromatography
• liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Research of Detection Technology of Illegal Additives in Food of Animal Origin Based on Online Automatic Process Technology [project number PT2014005].