LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF THE MYCOTOXIN FUMONISIN B-2 IN PHYSIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

The fungus Fusarium moniliforme produces a group of mycotoxins, the fumonisins, of which the most abundant are fumonisins B-1 (FB1) and B-2 (FB2). Previously developed analytical methods for the determination of FB1 in physiological samples have been modified for the determination of FB2 by the use of less polar extraction solvents. Plasma and urine extracts were purified on strong anion-exchange solid-phase extraction cartridges and fecal extracts on reversed-phase (C-18) cartridges. FB2 in purified extracts was determined by reversed-phase HPLC with fluorescence detection using preformed o-phthaldialdehyde derivatives. These methods were reproducible (R.S.D. of less than 6%) with recoveries greater than 85%. In a short preliminary study, they have been applied to the determination of the fate of FB2 dosed to rats by gavage. Of the dose given to the animals, over 90% was recovered unmetabolised in the feces within 48 h.