Extraction and determination of some aflatoxins in corn samples by QuEChERS method combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

Mycotoxins-producing fungi can enter the body of animals and humans by contaminating grain and fodder. Aflatoxins are potential carcinogens that can lead to severe health issues such as neurological disorders and liver or kidney failure. In this study, we employed a combination of the QuEChERS method and Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) for the extraction and determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 from corn samples, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD). We investigated and optimized the key factors affecting both stages of the extraction process. The developed method was validated by assessing parameters such as the linear range, limits of detection and quantification, repeatability, and extraction recovery. The linear range of the technique, with a coefficient of determination exceeding 0.996, spanned from 0.23 to 200 ng/g. The method achieved a low limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.23-0.38 ng/g, which is below the permissible limits for the target aflatoxins in corn. The method's reproducibility ranged from 3.9% to 7.1%, and extraction recovery was between 60% and 73%. The technique was applied to corn samples to detect aflatoxin B1 in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 11.2 ng/g. Overall, the proposed method is accurate, reliable, and highly efficient for analyzing and identifying aflatoxins in corn samples.

Keywords

• aflatoxin
• quechers
• high performance liquid chromatography
• dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction