Contamination of honey with toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids
(PAs)
and their N-oxides (PANOs) was assessed by dilution with acidic methanol
and analysis through liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with tandem
mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in three different modes. The hybrid linear
trap/triple quadrupole (LC-QTRAP) instrument was used in precursor
ion scan (PIS), enhanced product ion scan (EPI), and multiple reaction
monitoring (MRM) mode. The parent ions from ions at m/z 120 or 138 amus, characteristic of all the toxic
PAs and PANOs in the sample were first scanned by PIS. Then, the presence
of each contaminant at specific retention times through its MS2 spectrum was confirmed by EPI. Finally, they were quantified
in the MRM mode. The method was validated: recoveries 86–111%,
relative standard deviation (RSD) <20%, at 20 and 40 μg/kg,
except retrorsine, which showed a RSD of 30% at 20 μg/kg. Honey
samples were analyzed and five of them showed levels of 40 μg/kg
for the sum (PAs + PANOs). This approach allows the simultaneous determination
of PAs and PANOs in honey, even if their chemical standards are not
available.
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