Validated QuEChERS-based UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the postharvest control of patulin (mycotoxin) contamination in red-pigmented fruits
Ilona Sadok, Agnieszka Szmagara, Agnieszka Krzyszczak
Abstract
The paper outlines a procedure based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry and QuEChERS pretreatment for the determination of patulin in selected berries and stone fruits. The mycotoxin was determined in the positive electrospray ionization mode utilizing the formation of its methanol adduct. The method was validated for 4 fruit matrices: strawberry (Rosaceae, Fragaria), raspberry (Rosaceae, Rubus), redcurrant (Rosaceae, Prunus) and sour cherry (Grossulariaceae, Ribes). The fruits were characterized by total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanin contents and obtained results were within the ranges of 2.65-11.22 mg GAE/g, 1.06-4.67 mg CE/g, 0.05-1.44 mg cyd-3-glu/g, respectively. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.65 µg/kg to 3.01 µg/kg depending on the fruit type. The method was applied to 71 fruit samples collected in Poland. Analysis of moldy fruit samples has shown a high incidence of patulin contamination.