Quantification of Bacillus cereus Emetic Toxin (Cereulide) in Figs Using LC/MS

Abstract

An LC/MS method is described for the quantification of cereulide, the emetic toxin of Bacillus cereus in figs. The method can also be used for the determination of cereulide in rice. The sample was extracted with a mixture of acetone–tetrahydrofurane, methanol, and water, after which the organic layer was separated from water with chloroform and evaporated to dryness. The dry residue was diluted in chloroform–hexane and purified using a silica solid phase extraction column. The detection limit was 1 ng/g.

Keywords:

• Bacillus cereus
• Emetic toxin
• Figs
• Cereulide
• LC/MS

Acknowledgment

We are grateful to the National Food Control Authority for financial support.