Application of matrix solid-phase dispersion-HPLC method to determine patulin in apple and apple juice concentrate

The occurrence of patulin as a natural contaminant of apple juice is a worldwide problem. Most analytical methods consist of multiple liquid-liquid partition steps for the extraction of patulin in apple juice. Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) is a valuable tool for extracting the analytes from foodstuffs In MSPD clean-up is carried out simultaneously with, generally, good recoveries and precision. In this study, an efficient method with MSPD using C18-bonded silica as sorbent was developed for the analysis of patulin in apple and apple juice concentrate by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Recoveries of apple juice concentrate (AJC) sample and apple sample were in the range of 89.80-103.16% and 85.23-97.98%, respectively, for standard patulin solution. The coefficients of variations (CV) were 2.96-5.45% and the limit of detection (LOD) was 6 mu g/kg. The MSPD method is fast, easy, accurate and reliable. Therefore, the proposed method is applicable to the efficient determination of patulin in the course of apple juice concentrate processing. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.