Determination of deoxynivalenol and nivalenol in corn and wheat by liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry.

The fungus Fusarium graminearum is a pathogen of both wheat and corn. Strains of the fungus from the United States produce a toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON); strains of the fungus from Asia and Europe produce DON or a related toxin, nivalenol. These toxins can cause disease in livestock, and their potential presence in feed and foods is a concern for animal and human health. A method was developed to detect both toxins in corn and wheat by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of an extract of ground grain. The method requires no sample cleanup and can detect the toxins at 0.05 microg/g.