Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Patulin in French Apple Ciders

Abstract

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for detection and quantitation of patulin in French apple ciders. Cider was applied to an Extrelut column; patulin was extracted with ethyl acetate-toluene, and the extract was cleaned up on a Sep-Pak Florisil cartridge. Patulin was detected with a UV photometer at 275 nm. A reversed-phase column and an elution gradient were used for LC separation. Patulin recoveries at 3 levels ranged from 90.4 to 91.7%. Repeatability at 50 and 100 ppb levels did not exceed 15%. The calibration graph was rectilinear from 0.2 to 1 μg/mL patulin working solutions corresponding to 20-100 ppb patulin in sample. The quantitation limit was 10 ppb. The method represents an improvement in selectivity for determination of patulin in a specific matrix such as French apple cider.