A new method for detection of five alternaria toxins in food matrices based on LC–APCI-MS

A new method for the detection of alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT), tentoxin (TEN), and tenuazonic acid (TeA), five alternaria toxins (ATs) was developed by liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry equipped with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). A single extraction was used to recover the five ATs by apple juices, beers, tomato sauces, olives and dried basil. Different Solid Phase Extractions (SPE) and clean-up were selected to optimise the purification step for each food matrix. Limits of detection and quantification were, respectively, in the range 0.16–12.31 and 0.54–41.04 ng g−1. Recovery rates were generally above 70%, except for dried basil and olives. Thirty out of 70 samples analysed (7 apple juices, 14 beers and 9 tomato sauces) resulted positive to at least one alternaria toxin investigated. AOH was the most common AT (14 samples), followed by ALT (10 samples). The highest concentration of ATs was found in commercial apple juices (35.33 ng g−1).

► A new method for the quantification of five alternaria toxins (AT) was developed.
► The method, based on LC–APCI-MS, was optimised on different food matrices.
► Recovery rates were above 70%, except for dried basil and olives.
► Thirty out of 70 samples analysed were positive to one or more mycotoxins.
► AOH was the most common AT, found in 14 samples, followed by ALT, in 10 samples.