Toolbox for the Extraction and Quantification of Ochratoxin A and Ochratoxin Alpha Applicable for Different Pig and Poultry Matrices

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the major mycotoxins causing severe effects on the health of humans and animals. Ochratoxin alpha (OT alpha) is a metabolite of OTA, which is produced through microbial or enzymatic hydrolysis, and one of the preferred routes of OTA detoxification. The methods described here are applicable for the extraction and quantification of OTA and OT alpha in several pig and poultry matrices such as feed, feces/excreta, urine, plasma, dried blood spots, and tissue samples such as liver, kidney, muscle, skin, and fat. The samples are homogenized and extracted. Extraction is either based on a stepwise extraction using ethyl acetate/sodium hydrogencarbonate/ethyl acetate or an acetonitrile/water mixture. Quantitative analysis is based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Method validation was successfully performed and the linearity, limit of quantification, accuracy, precision as well as the stability of the samples, were evaluated. The analyte recovery of the spiked samples was between 80 and 120% (80-150% for spiked concentrations <= 1 ng/g or ng/mL) and the relative standard deviation was <= 15%. Therefore, we provide a toolbox for the extraction and quantification of OTA and OT alpha in all relevant pig and poultry matrices.

Automated summary

This article presents a method for the extraction and quantification of OTA and OT alpha in pig and poultry matrices. The samples are extracted using either ethyl acetate/sodium hydrogencarbonate/ethyl acetate or an acetonitrile/water mixture, and quantitative analysis is performed using LC-MS/MS. The method validation demonstrates good linearity, accuracy, and precision.