Multianalyte method for the determination of regulated, emerging and modified mycotoxins in milk: QuEChERS extraction followed by UHPLC-MS/MS analysis

A simple method for the quantification of 40 mycotoxins in milk was developed. This method is based on a QuEChERS extraction followed by the ultra-high liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/ MS) detection, and allows the simultaneous analysis of regulated, emerging, and modified mycotoxins. A sample treatment procedure was optimized to include a concentration step for the analysis of some compounds such as aflatoxin M1. The method was in-house validated in terms of limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), linearity, recoveries, and precision. LOQs lower than 10 ng/mL were obtained, and recoveries ranged from 61% to 120% with a precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation, lower than 15%. Therefore, acceptable performance characteristics were obtained fulfilling European regulations. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of mycotoxins in raw milk. It can be highlighted high occurrence of beauvericin and enniatins were found in low amounts.

Automated summary

A simple method for quantifying 40 mycotoxins in milk was developed using QuEChERS extraction and UHPLC-MS/MS detection, achieving low LOQs, high recoveries, and acceptable performance characteristics in line with European regulations. The method successfully quantified mycotoxins in raw milk, highlighting the high occurrence of beauvericin and enniatins in small amounts.