SELECTION OF A SIMPLE AND SENSITIVE METHOD FOR DETECTING ZEARALENONE IN CORN

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method for determining zearalenone in c orn 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 extra ct was defatted with isooctane. The acetonitrile extract was cleaned u p with 20% lead acetate solution. The zearalenone was partitioned into toluene. The toluene solution was dried, and the residue was redissol ved in benzene. The toxin was determined by thin-layer chromatography with silica gel plates and chloroform-acetone (9 + 1) as the developin g solvent. The overall average recovery of zearalenone from corn was 9 7%. The limit of detection was 50 mug/kg; this limit may be lowered by using fast violet B salt as spray reagent. The method was compared wi th 2 previous methods that determine zearalenone in biologically conta minated corn.