Application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in cereal products

The application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique for the rapid analysis of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in maize, rice and wheat products has been evaluated. After extraction of aflatoxins from cereal matrices with a mixture of methanol/water 8:2 (v/v), the analytes were rapidly transferred from the extract to another small volume of organic solvent, chloroform, by DLLME. Aflatoxins were determined using high performance liquid chromatography with florescence detection and photochemical post-column derivatization. Parameters affecting both extraction and DLLME procedures, such as extraction solvent, type and volume of DLLME extractant, volume of water and salt effect, were systematically investigated and optimized to achieve the best extraction efficiency. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the whole analytical method provides enrichment factors around 2.5 times and detection limits (0.01–0.17 μg kg−1) below the maximum levels imposed by current regulation for aflatoxins in cereals and cereal products intended for direct human consumption. Recoveries (67–92%) and repeatability (RSD < 10, n = 3), tested in three different cereal matrices, meet the performance criteria required by EC Regulation No. 401/2006 for the determination of the levels of mycotoxins in foodstuffs. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of retail cereal products with quantitative results comparable to the immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC). The main advantages of developed method are the simplicity of operation, the rapidity to achieve a very high sample throughput and low cost.