ARS | Publication request: Capillary electrophoresis of the mycotoxin zearalenone using cyclodextrin-enhanced fluorescence

Submitted to: Journal of Chromatography A
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 21, 2006
Publication Date: December 27, 2006
Citation: Maragos, C.M., Appell, M.D. 2007. Capillary electrophoresis of the mycotoxin zearalenone using cyclodextrin-enhanced fluorescence. Journal of Chromatography A. 1143(1-2):252-257.

Interpretive Summary: Zearalenone is an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by certain strains of Fusarium, including the pathogen of maize F. graminearum. Because of the effects of this compound on domestic animals, and the potential effect on humans, detection of zearalenone is essential for the effective diversion of contaminated feed. Zearalenone is fluorescent and this property can be used for its detection. In this research we investigated a number of cyclodextrins capable of enhancing this fluorescence, and developed an analytical method for detecting this mycotoxin in maize. The method, which uses capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection, is capable of detecting zearalenone at levels below the EU guideline of 50 ng/g in maize and will be useful for future monitoring of this mycotoxin in maize.

Technical Abstract: Certain of the cyclodextrins are capable of significantly enhancing the native fluorescence of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN). Twenty-two cyclodextrins (CDs) were screened for their ability to enhance the fluorescence of ZEN in a capillary electrophoresis-laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) format. Of the CDs that were examined, heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-'-CD gave the greatest enhancement. The heptakis (2,6-di-o-methyl)-'-CD was applied to the development of a CE-LIF method for detection of ZEN in maize. The resulting method was capable of detecting ZEN with a limit of quantitation of 5 ng/g maize. Recoveries of ZEN from maize spiked over the range from 5 ng/g to 500 ng/g averaged 103.1 ± 8.5% (n=20). The CE-LIF method will be useful for future studies of ZEN in maize.