Development and Validation of a Cost-Effective HPLC-FLD Method for Routine Analysis of Fumonisins B1 and B2 in Corn and Corn Products

Fumonisins, a type of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species, can cause fatal diseases in animals and humans. Therefore, regulatory limits for food and feed were established in many countries. Herein, a sensitive, valid, cost-effective, and easily transferable analytical method for quantitative determination of the relevant fumonisins B 1 (FB1) and B 2 (FB2) in corn and corn products was developed. The final method is based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (RP-HPLC-FLD). Derivatization of analytes was simplified by establishing an automated precolumn derivatization method by using an autosampler. Strong anion exchange (SAX) cartridges were used instead of widespread immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) approaches. Analytes and matrix signals were chromatographically separated in a total run time of 25 min by means of a C 8 column and a gradient elution using methanol and phosphate buffer. The limits of detection (LODs) for FB1 and FB2 were 29.2 and 17.5 μg/kg, respectively. Obtained recoveries ranged from 79.4 to 94.5 % for FB1 and from 79.9 to 98.0 % for FB2. Positive confirmation of the developed method was achieved by participating in an interlaboratory proficiency testing. Nineteen samples of sweet corn and corn products were analyzed to demonstrate the applicability of the method.