Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analytical system for aflatoxins in wines with fluorescence detection

An improved procedure using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection is described for the analysis of six aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, B2a, and G2a). The method provides greater analytical speed, reproducibility, and resolution, as well as better accuracy and sensitivity than the previously available thin-layer chromatographic methods. Aflatoxins B1 and G1 were hydrated to enhance their fluorescence response. Analyses of both hydrated and unhydrated compounds by HPLC provided simultaneous qualitative and quantitative information. A typical HPLC run was complete in 15 min. The recoveries of four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) from wines at the spiked level of 1 μg/l (1 ppb) were satisfactory. The method as applied to wine samples is sensitive at the 0.02 μg/l level.