Multi-class mycotoxins analysis in Angelica sinensis by ultra fast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

An ultra fast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of multi-class mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFB 1 , AFB 2 , AFG 1 and AFG 2 ), ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FB 1 and FB 2 ) and zearalanone (ZEN) in 20 batches of Angelica sinensis samples collected from different markets and stores in China. The eight mycotoxins were extracted and cleaned up by using QuEChERS-based procedure, and then were quantified under the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) together with positive and negative ionization modes. Focusing on the optimization of extraction and clean-up conditions, as well as UFLC separation and MS/MS parameters of targeted analytes, the developed method expressed good linearity for the eight mycotoxins within their respective linear ranges with correlation coefficients all higher than 0.9974. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) ranged from 0.005 to 0.125   μg/kg and from 0.0625 to 0.25   μg/kg, respectively. Recoveries for spiked A. sinensis sample at three different levels were all above 78.9% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 6.36% for all analytes. Analysis of real samples demonstrated that two visibly moldy A. sinensis samples were detected with AFB 1 of 2.07 and 2.92   μg/kg, and AFG 1 of 2.84 and 1.53   μg/kg. The proposed quantitative method with significant advantages including simple pretreatment, rapid determination and high sensitivity would be the preferred candidate for the determination and quantification of multi-class mycotoxin contaminants in complex matrixes, which well fulfilled the maximum residue limits (MRLs) from various countries.