Determination of Type A and B Trichothecenes in Cereals by Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection

Abstract

A quantitative method has been developed for determination of nonmacrocyclic trichothecenes in cereals. The mycotoxins are extracted with acetonitrile- ethyl acetate-water, and the extracts are quickly defatted with hexane and purified on a Sep- Pak Florisil cartridge. The trichothecenes are then silylated with Tri-Sil/TBT and quantitated by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection. High recoveries of 13 tested trichothecenes were achieved in experiments on wheat at the 250 μg/kg level. The method was also tested on barley, maize, oats, and rye with good results