Simultaneous Multi- Residue Determination of Mycotoxins in Foods Using LC-MS/MS

Natural toxins in food are of increasing concern for human health. Among the natural toxins, mycotoxins pose a significant health risk within the tropical developing countries food supply chain [1]. Mycotoxins are produced by fungi (molds), such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Alternaria, that are frequently present on agricultural products [2]. The contamination of foods and feeds by the major mycotoxins, e.g. aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), G2 (AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FB1 and FB2), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2, HT-2, and zearalenone (ZEA), has been recognized by the World Health Organization [3] as a significant source of food-borne illnesses. Due to the health risk these toxins pose to humans, mycotoxin content in food and feed are regulated by legislation in different national and international levels [4,5]. In particular, the European Commission [4] has established maximum permitted levels in foodstuff for direct human consumption of aflatoxins (AFB1, 2-8 ng g -1; total AFS, 4-15 ng g-1), OTA (3-10 ng g-1), ZEA (75-400 ng g-1), DON (500-1750 ng g-1), FBS (800-4000 ng g -1); however, limits for T-2 and HT2 are currently under discussion. In detail, The European Commission [4] has set 5.0 ng g-1 for AFB1 and 10.0 ng g -1 for total aflatoxins in spices; 2.0 ng g-1 for AFB1 and 4.0 ng g -1 for total aflatoxins for peanuts and other oil seeds intended for direct human consumption. The limit was 5.0 ng g-1 and 10.0 ng g-1 for AFB1 and total aflatoxins, respectively for dried fruits to be subjected to sorting, or other physical treatment, before human consumption. In cereals, the limit was 2.0 ng g-1 for AFB1 and 4.0 ng g -1 for total aflatoxins, OTA (3 ng g-1), DON (750 ng g-1) and , ZEA (75 ng g-1), respectively. In Malaysia, the regulatory limit for total aflatoxins in groundnut is 15 ng g-1. The regulation for other foods and milk in Malaysian Food Act (1983) is 10 ng g-1 and 0.05 ng mL-1, respectively [6] and specific limits for other types of mycotoxins have not been established yet.