Simultaneous determination of mycotoxins in meal replacement products by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and their risk assessment in Korea

An analytical method based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed to simultaneously detect nine mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, B2, and zearalenone) in meal replacement products containing cereals and milk to assess the associated risks for the Korean population. The mycotoxins were extracted using QuEChERS, followed by purification with C18 and primary secondary amine (PSA). The method was validated, showing good linearity (r² > 0.999), limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.06–0.38 μg/kg, limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02–0.13 μg/kg, recoveries of 73.5 %–117.7 %, and precision below 15 %. This method was used to analyze 103 samples, detecting aflatoxin B1 (1.18–7.29 μg/kg), within the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) allowable limit, while aflatoxins B2, G1, G2, and M1 were not detected. Unregulated mycotoxins such as fumonisin (0.84–14.25 μg/kg), ochratoxin A (0.76–17.42 μg/kg), and zearalenone (1.73–15.96 μg/kg) were found. Risk assessment, based on estimated daily intake, showed that mycotoxin exposure from meal replacement products is unlikely to pose health risks to the Korean population. Thus, the method was proven to be accurate, reproducible, and suitable for assessing mycotoxin-related risks in meal replacement products. ●A sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed to detect nine mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, B2, and zearalenone) in meal replacement products containing cereals and milk.●The method demonstrated excellent performance with low detection limits and recoveries. It was applied to 103 samples, revealing aflatoxin B1 levels below the maximum allowable limits, while other mycotoxins, such as fumonisin, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone, were also detected.●Risk assessments indicated that human exposure to aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A was below toxicological reference values, and fumonisin and zearalenone levels were within safe limits.●This method can be used to monitor mycotoxin contamination and assess related risks.