Rapid detection of Fusarium mycotoxins in grains by quadrupole mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry.

The Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone can be detected rapidly in a crude extract of a grain matrix by quadrupole mass spectrometry/mass spectrometric analysis of the collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) daughter fragments of the protonated molecule. Detection limits were as low as 0.1 ppm. The 2 toxins were detected in a single analysis. Monitoring the CAD daughters of the negative ion m/z 248 of DON eliminated most interferences from the grain matrix and produced daughter spectra identical to those produced from an authentic standard.