Electrospray Mass Spectrometry for Fumonisin Detection and Method Validation

Fumonisins are a structurally related group of mycotoxins, characterized by a 19-20 carbon aminopolyhydroxy-alkyl chain which is diesterified with propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid (tricarballylic acid). These mycotoxins are commonly found in corn and corn-based food products and have been linked to a variety of animal toxicities. The widespread prevalence of fumonisins and the toxicity associated with ingestion has resulted in a number of analytical methods for determining the amount of fumonisins present in foods. Among the most common of these methods are liquid chromatographic (LC) separation with fluorescence detection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and LC/mass spectrometry. LC and ELISA give quantitative results while LC/MS provide quantitative analysis as well as confirmation of identity of the fumonisins.