Selection of a Simple and Sensitive Method for Detecting Zearalenone in Corn
Abstract A simple, rapid, and sensitive method for determining zearalenone in corn was selected. The toxin was extracted from 50 g test portions with 180 mL acetonitrile and 20 mL 4% KCl solution. A portion of the extract was defatted with isooctane. The acetonitrile extract was cleaned up with 20% lead acetate solution. The zearalenone was partitioned into toluene. The toluene solution was dried, and the residue was redissolved in benzene. The toxin was determined by thin-layer chromatography with silica gel plates and chloroform–acetone (9 +1) as the developing solvent. The overall average recovery of zearalenone from corn was 97%. The limit of detection was 50 μg/kg; this limit may be lowered by using fast violet B salt as spray reagent. The method was compared with 2 previous methods that determine zearalenone in biologically contaminated corn.