Supercritical fluid extraction of aflatoxin M1 from beef liver

Abstract

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and a pressurized-fluid-extraction process were applied for the removal of aflatoxin M1 from beef liver samples. Various pressures, temperatures, quantity of supercritical carbon dioxide, and organic modifiers were investigated to optimize the extraction methods. Organic modifier was found to be essential for quantitative recovery of aflatoxin M1. Extracts were cleaned up by solid-phase extraction and were analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection of the trifluoroacetic acid derivative. Solvent-modified carbon dioxide SFE achieved recoveries comparable to an AOAC-approved method involving organic solvent extraction. SFE allowed the traditional amounts of sample and organic solvent to be reduced. Also, the supercritical-fluid extraction permitted the use of carbon dioxide modified with acetonitrile: methanol (2:1) to replace methylene chloride as the organic solvent for the extraction step.