Determination of multiple mycotoxin residues in Panax ginseng using simultaneous UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS

Abstract

Presented here is an optimized and validated high‐throughput method for the simultaneous determination of 11 different classes of mycotoxins from the popular traditional Chinese medicine Panax ginseng. The selected mycotoxins included the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 and the fumonisins B1 and B2, as well as CIT, HT‐2, T‐2, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A. This high‐throughput analysis was achieved using a simple pretreatment procedure with no clean‐up and featured the convenient and fast‐speed determination provided by LC‐MS/MS within 12 min, for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of 11 selected mycotoxins. We sought to optimize the MS parameters and UPLC conditions and multiple reaction monitoring was used in both positive and negative electrospray ionization mode. Matrix‐matched calibration was applied for the quantification of the 11 mycotoxins in P. ginseng, within the range of 0.5–250 ng/ml. Validation of this method was performed by analyzing samples spiked at three different levels (low, medium, and high). The limits of detection and quantification of the method was within the ranges of 0.25–50 ng/ml and 0.1–25 ng/ml, respectively. Finally, this analytical method was successfully used to assess 10 separate batches of P. ginseng samples obtained from local markets and only one sample detected FB2.Practical applicationsPanax ginseng has been widely used as a highly valued and popular medicinal herb for thousands of years. The potential presence of multiple mycotoxins in P. ginseng is a key issue for its safety and has caused great public concern. In this study, a fast and easy UPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS analytical method coupled with a simple pretreatment procedure was established and validated for simultaneous determination of 11 of the most crucial mycotoxins (AFG2, AFG1, AFB2, AFB1, CIT, FB1, FB2, HT‐2 T‐2 ZON, and OTA) in 10 batches of P. ginseng samples, to ensure the quality of TCMs as well as protect the health of humans and animals.

Mycotoxin Contamination Concerns of Herbs and Medicinal Plants

“…Therefore, the plant has been studied for mycotoxicological contamination. The results showed that sampled ginseng roots had significant levels of AFs which exceeded acceptable standards [38,65] (Table 5).…”

Quantification and confirmation of four aflatoxins using a LC–MS/MS QTRAP system in multiple reaction monitoring, enhanced product ion scan, and MS3 modes

“…[17][18][19][20] The IDA method with dynamic background subtraction (DBS) was configured to trigger a sensitive enhanced product ion (EPI) scan when the survey scan signal exceeded the defined criteria. [21][22][23] An EPI spectrum library was constructed and can be used for aflatoxin compound screening. 24,25 A LC-MS 3 method 26,27 was also established and used for secondary confirmation.…”

Development of an economic ultrafast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for trace analysis of multiclass mycotoxins in Polygonum multiflorum

“…Aflatoxins with significant hepatotoxicity have been categorized as Group 1 human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer ; T‐2 and HT‐2 toxins exhibit significant apoptosis in the immune system and fetal tissues ; OTA and fumonisin with significant nephrotoxic effects are classified as Group 2B carcinogens (possibly carcinogenic to human) by International Agency for Research on Cancer . Mycotoxins detected in CMMs even at low concentrations (ppb, μg/kg) can enter the human body through the absorption of contaminated CMMs and related products, posing serious threat for a long time.…”