DETERMINATION OF AFLATOXINS IN PEANUT MEAL BY LC/MS WITH A PARTICLE-BEAM INTERFACE

A new method for the analysis of aflatoxins in food extracts, based on liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry interfacing, is presented. The chromatographic separation was performed with a reversed phase packed capillary column coupled with a modified particle beam interface capable of handling microliter per minute flow rates. This system allows higher overall sensitivity and easier operation procedures. The method has proved to be particularly suitable for the analysis of the toxins in very complex matrices. The specificity of electron impact ionization allowed positive identification of the aflatoxins with an excellent response linearity for accurate quantitation.