Determination of Fumonisins B1 and B2 in Maize Food Products by a New Analytical Method Based on High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Fluorimetr

A sensitive and selective analytical method for the quantitative determination of fumonisins B₁ (FB₁ ) and B₂ (FB₂ ) in maize-based foods for direct human consumption is described. The method, based on high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection, presents a rapid and automated online post-column derivatization, performed with o -phthalaldehyde and N ,N -dimethyl-2-mercaptoethylamine (Thiofluor™). A complete separation of fumonisins is achieved in less than 13 min by using a C18 column and a gradient elution. Fumonisins are extracted from the sample with a mixture of water, acetonitrile, and methanol. The filtered extract is purified by immunoaffinity column and FB₁ and FB₂ are eluted with methanol. The method has been successfully validated, and performances comply with �criteria of the Regulation EC No 401/2006.