Rapid thin layer chromatographic method for determination of zearalenone and zearalenol in grains and animal feeds.

A rapid and inexpensive method has been developed for the analysis of zearalenone and zearalenol in grains and animal feeds. The method involves extraction with 75% methanol, precipitation of pigments with lead acetate, and defatting with petroleum ether. The mycotoxins are subsequently partitioned into toluene-ethyl acetate, chromatographed on high performance thin layer chromatographic plates, and detected after treatment with Fast Violet B salt solution. Sensitivity of the method is better than 80 ng/g for zearalenone and 200 ng/g for zearalenol. Ten samples can be completed in less than 2 h. The method is applicable for zearalenone in corn, wheat, barley, millet, and swine feeds.