Recent Advances and Future Challenges in Modified Mycotoxin Analysis: Why HRMS Has Become a Key Instrument in Food Contaminant Research

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by pathogenic fungi in crops worldwide. These compounds can undergo modification in plants, leading to the formation of a large number of possible modified forms, whose toxicological relevance and occurrence in food and feed is still largely unexplored. The analysis of modified mycotoxins by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry remains a challenge because of their chemical diversity, the large number of isomeric forms, and the lack of analytical standards. Here, the potential benefits of high-resolution and ion mobility mass spectrometry as a tool for separation and structure confirmation of modified mycotoxins have been investigated/reviewed.

Ochratoxin A in black pepper, white pepper and clove sold in Yaoundé (Cameroon) markets: contamination levels and consumers’ practices increasing health risk

“…Their presence at a certain amount in food can be very harmful for consumers. More than 400 mycotoxins have been identified up to date among which aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins and ochratoxins are the most studied (Righetti et al 2016). Ochratoxin A (OTA) or L-phenylalanylcarbonyl-5-chloro-8-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-3-R-methylisocoumarin (Fig.…”

Yesterday masked, today modified; what do mycotoxins bring next?

“…Firstly, the number of analytes that can be analysed in a single run is restricted by the MS/MS quality. Secondly, only targeted compounds can be detected, and quantification requires the use of analytical standards, which limits determination of most modified mycotoxins (2). Thirdly, accurate mycotoxin quantification in different matrices requires matrix-assisted calibration or appropriate internal standard, and these standards and (certified) reference materials are still not widely available.…”

“…Recently, full-scan techniques have been studied as a way to complement the QqQ methods. LC coupled to high resolution mass spectrometers (HRMS) has the advantage over QqQ, as it enables target analysis, identification of new non-targeted compounds, and retrospective data analysis (2,13). While it may be less sensitive than QqQ, LC-HRMS orbitrap is regarded as a powerful tool for multiclass, multi-analyte analysis in food safety (76).…”

“…However, HRMS still needs to resolve issues such as isobar co-elution and unknown molecule identification to become a fully effective food safety control tool. These issues have been addressed by the introduction of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), which can provide a better insight into the formation and characterisation of novel modified mycotoxins, but requires further testing (2). Another issue of HRMS are the levels of detection, which are much higher than with QqQ.…”

“…Global concern about the contamination of agricultural commodities with mycotoxins, secondary fungal metabolites, has increased over the last years (1)(2)(3). Although the total number of mycotoxins is unknown, it is estimated that there are thousands of fungal secondary metabolites, but only a few hundred have been documented as toxic at low amounts.…”