A method of analysis for T-2 toxin and neosolaniol by UPLC-MS/MS in apple fruit inoculated withTrichothecium roseum

Abstract

Trichothecenes are one of the most important groups of mycotoxins produced by Trichothecium roseum, which causes core rot of apple. A reliable and sensitive method was developed and successfully applied for the rapid detection of trichothecenes including T-2 toxin and neosolaniol in harvested apple using UPLC-MS/MS. After the extraction of the two mycotoxins from the apple matrix with methanol/water (80/20, v/v), the concentrated extracts were cleaned-up by PriboFast M270 columns and then analysed by UPLC-MS/MS. T-2 toxin and neosolaniol were effectively separated as unique peaks. The validity of this method was established by its linearity (R(2) ≥ 0.9995), precision (relative standard deviation ≤ 3.6%), accuracy, selectivity, limit of detection of 2-5 μg kg(-1), limit of quantification of 5-10 μg kg(-1) and average recovery of 73-96%. Levels of T-2 toxin were found in the range 7.1-128.4 µg kg(-1) in the core rot lesion of three cultivars apple (cvs. Red Delicious, Fuji and Ralls). T-2 was detected not only in the lesion, but also in the tissue without any disease symptoms. However, neosolaniol was only detected in the lesion on 'Red Delicious' apples. In addition, the concentration of T-2 toxin in the susceptible cultivar (cv. Fuji) was significantly higher than that in the resistant one (cv. Ralls). This method proved to be suitable at detecting T-2 and neosolaniol simultaneously in apples infected with T. roseum.

Influence of storage temperature and cultivars on T‐2 toxin and neosolaniol accumulation in apples inoculated with Trichothecium roseum

“…The conditions of the stronger acid or higher sugar content are not favorable to accumulate NEO. Similar report in core rot of apple fruits was observed by our research group (Tang et al, ).…”

“…An aliquot 10.0 g tissue for each sample was ground with a mortar and pestle as mentioned by Tang et al (). The ground samples were used for extraction with methanol/water (80:20, v/v), followed by centrifuging at 11 × 000g for 5 min.…”

“…Mobile phase A was acetonitrile, and mobile phase B was 10 mM ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid in water. The separated parameters were followed by the method (Tang et al, ). Data acquisition and processing were performed using MassLynx v4.1 and Quanlynx (Waters).…”

“…Moldy core is a major postharvest diseases of apple fruits, which is characterized by the growth of mycelia within the locules, if the mycelia penetrates into the mesoderm and causes rot of flesh, these symptoms belong to core rot rather than moldy core (Reuveni & Prusky, ). Alternaria alternate is the predominant fungal isolate responsible for moldy core of apple fruits (Reuveni & Prusky, ), and the pathogen causing apple core rot is mainly T. roseum in China (Niu et al, ; Tang et al, ). Moldy core of apples was associated with high amounts of mycotoxins accumulation, such as alternariol (AOH) (Robiglio & Lopez, ), and alternariol methyl ether (AME) (Wang et al, ).…”

Survey of Alternaria Toxins and Other Mycotoxins in Dried Fruits in China

“…Fungi belonging to the genera Alternaria , Pencillium and Aspergillus are the major contributors to fruit spoilage and mycotoxin production [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Fusarium species and the mycotoxins they produce (trichothecenes) were also detected in fruits [ 4 ]. In addition to these destructive pathogens causing huge economic losses, mycotoxins are of concern to human health due to their acute or chronic toxic effects, such as carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects [ 2 , 3 ].…”