Mycotoxins Sample Preparation and Analysis

Importance of the Topic

Contamination of food and animal feed by mould‐derived mycotoxins poses significant health hazards, necessitating sensitive and reliable analytical workflows. Efficient sample preparation and detection methods are critical to ensure compliance with regulatory limits and to protect public health.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note from LCTech outlines comprehensive solutions for the preparation and analysis of mycotoxins and related contaminants in food, feed, and environmental samples. It highlights product portfolios ranging from manual immunoaffinity and SPE clean-up columns to fully automated sample preparation platforms, aiming to optimize throughput, sensitivity, and regulatory compliance.

Instrumentation Used

• Immunoaffinity columns: AflaCLEAN, AflaCLEAN Select, AflaCLEAN SMART, OtaCLEAN, OtaCLEAN SMART, Afla-OtaCLEAN (combination), DONeX (deoxynivalenol), BioteX (biotin)
• ELISA screening kit: ErgoREAD rapid test (96-well format)
• Photochemical derivatisation reactor: UVE (UV lamp, 254 nm)
• Post-column derivatisation system: PINNACLE PCX (Pickering Laboratories)
• Vacuum manifold: EluVac for parallel SPE clean-up
• Automated platforms: AcceCLEAN (SPE/IAC), FREESTYLE ThermELUTE™, FREESTYLE SPE robotic systems
• HPLC components: RP C18 analytical and guard columns
• Supporting accessories: portable photometer (450 nm), DURAN glass sample reservoirs

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sample preparation is based on immunoaffinity chromatography and SPE clean-up optimized for various mycotoxins. Columns are available in multiple formats (1 mL, 3 mL, SMART mini-format) tailored for manual or automated workflows. Photochemical derivatisation with UVE and chemical/electrochemical post-column derivatisation (PINNACLE PCX) enhance fluorescence detection of aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, and deoxynivalenol. ELISA provides rapid qualitative screening. Automated systems integrate conditioning, loading, washing, elution, and sample transfer directly to HPLC or LC-MS.

Main Results and Discussion

Validated recovery rates across matrices consistently exceeded 80–90%, even in challenging samples such as baby food, spices, nuts, coffee, and dairy. SMART columns reduced solvent consumption by over 80% and cut clean-up time to under 20 minutes per sample. FREESTYLE ThermELUTE™ achieved ppt-level sensitivity and throughput up to 500 samples per week with full automation. Comparative studies demonstrated excellent agreement between ELISA rapid tests and HPLC/LC-MS reference methods.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High specificity and loading capacities for targeted mycotoxins
• Extended shelf life (9–24 months) and storage flexibility
• Modular manual and automated formats to suit laboratory throughput needs
• Compliance with EU regulations (EC 1881/2006, EC 105/2010) and international standards (AOAC, ISO)
• Comprehensive application protocols and free technical support

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in miniaturized immunoaffinity media and integrated robotic workflows will further enhance sample throughput and sensitivity. The expansion of multiplexed analysis and direct coupling to high-resolution mass spectrometry promises more comprehensive screening for emerging and co-occurring mycotoxins. Real-time process control and cloud-based data management will streamline QA/QC in food safety laboratories.

Conclusion

LCTech’s portfolio of immunoaffinity and SPE clean-up columns, rapid ELISA kits, derivatisation reactors, and automated preparation systems offers versatile, high-throughput, and regulation-compliant solutions for mycotoxin analysis. From manual bench workflows to fully automated “raw extract to chromatogram” platforms, laboratories can achieve reliable, reproducible results across diverse matrices.

Reference

1. Reiter, E.V. et al., Aflatoxins in palm kernel cake from Indonesia – Applicability of ELISA vs. HPLC, 31st Mycotoxin Workshop, Münster, Germany (2009).
2. Trucksess, M.W. et al., Use of mycotoxin columns for determination of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in ginseng and ginger, J AOAC Int. 90(4):1042–1049 (2007).
3. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for contaminants in foodstuffs.
4. AOAC Official Method 2000.08, Aflatoxin M1 in liquid milk by immunoaffinity column and LC.
5. Maragos, C.M., Photoreaction of indole-containing mycotoxins to fluorescent products, Mycotoxin Research 25(2):67–75 (2009).
6. Papadopoulou-Bouraoui, A. et al., Comparison of UV irradiation and electrochemical derivatisation for aflatoxins, J AOAC Int. 85(2):411–416 (2002).
7. Ofitserova, M. et al., Multiresidue mycotoxin analysis in corn grain by HPLC with photochemical and chemical derivatisation: Single laboratory validation, J AOAC Int. 92(1):15–25 (2009).