Determination of multiple mycotoxins in feedstuffs by combined use of UPLC-MS/MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS

In this report, a UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, fusarenone X, diacetoxyscirpenol, and 3-and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol in feedstuffs was developed. A quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer detector (QTOF-MS) operating in full scan mode was combined with the UPLC-ESI-MS/MS system to confirm the identity of detected mycotoxins and to identify other possible microbial metabolites occurring in samples. Sixty two feed samples from the Spanish market were analyzed. Extraction of metabolites was carried out with acetonitrile-water-formic acid (80:19:1, v/v/v). Method detection and quantification limits and performance criteria set by Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 were fulfilled. Relatively high levels of the main regulated mycotoxins and presence of non-regulated mycotoxins in feed samples were found. This is the first study in which mycotoxins and other microbial metabolites occurring in feed are studied using a UPLC-QTOF-MS system being therefore a reference report.