Application of a Validated Method for the Identification and Quantification of Mycotoxins in Wines Using UPLC-MS/MS

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop a rapid, simple and reliable method for the identification and quantification of six mycotoxins in wine using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The analytical method was fully validated, and calibration curves were made with correlation coefficients >0.9970. A short analysis time and acceptable extraction efficiency were achieved by a direct extraction method of analytes (ochratoxin A, aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and Zearalenone) with acetonitrile. LOD values were from 0.03 to 0.27 µg kg−1, and LOQ values were from 0.08 to 0.81 µg kg−1, with recoveries at various values from 77 to 108%. The expanded uncertainty was 5–21% expressed at a coverage level of k = 2, at a confidence level of approximately 95%. The performance criteria of the method were fully met according to European legislation (EC) 401/2006. The method was successfully applied to wine samples from Cyprus. The method was simple, low cost, quick, accurate, and sensitive.