Determination of ergosterol in Fusarium-infected wheat by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry

A rapid liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry (LC–APPI–MS) method was developed for the determination of ergosterol in wheat grains. The effects of the dopants acetone, toluene and anisole on the ionization efficiency were studied. To identify the predominant ions, APPI–MS–MS studies were performed. Different LC and MS parameters were optimized to obtain maximum sensitivity. The effects of the mobile phase composition and of the flow rate were investigated. Additionally, the effects of the nebulizer gas pressure, the drying gas flow, the vaporizer temperature, the fragmentor voltage and the capillary voltage on the ionization efficiency were evaluated. The calibration curve exhibited good linearity and reproducibility. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 0.15 ng on column, which allows the determination of ergosterol in wheat at a concentration as low as 0.12 μg/g. Twenty wheat varieties artificially infected with Fusarium graminearum were investigated by this method.