A rapid method for extraction of zearalenone and zeraralenols in fermented corn.

A rapid extraction method is described for isolation of zearalenone and α- and β-trans-zearalenols from laboratory fermented corn. Corn fermented withFusarium crookwellense at 25°C for 2 weeks was agitated for 5 minutes in acetone. The acetone extract was evaporated to dryness and the remaining residue was chromatographed on a silica gel column with hexane:ethyl acetate (8:2). The products eluted with the hexane:ethyl acetate mixture in 1-1/2 column volumes and were identified by regular phase and C-18 reverse-phase thin layer chromatography. The products were verified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Product recoveries were 62.5-70% for the zearalenols and 70% for zearalenone in the range 0.5-50 mg/Kg.