Mycotoxin contamination is a food safety challenge that begins long before food reaches the consumer. These toxic substances are produced by certain fungi, including those of the Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium genera, which can develop in cereals during cultivation, harvest, and storage. When these raw materials are used to produce balanced feed for laying hens, they constitute a route of exposure to these contaminants.
In this context, the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA) developed an analytical methodology using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) that will facilitate faster and simultaneous detection of eleven mycotoxins of interest for food safety.
This tool – generated by professionals from the Coordination of Chemical Assets and Residues of the Animal Laboratory of SENASA – seeks to strengthen the analytical capabilities of the Agency and produce information to evaluate the presence of these contaminants in the poultry agro-food chain.
The method allows for the simultaneous analysis of eleven mycotoxins: aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2; deoxynivalenol; fumonisins B1 and B2; ochratoxin A; T-2 and HT-2 toxins; and zearalenone. The incorporation of this technique represents an advance in the capabilities of the SENASA Laboratory, as it allows for the determination of these contaminants through a confirmatory procedure and reduces analysis times compared to work schemes that require individual detection techniques or additional evaluation stages.
A tool to strengthen food control
One of the main contributions of the development is the possibility of having an analytical tool to study the presence of mycotoxins in both balanced feed and eggs, a widely consumed product in Argentina.
While reference values established by the European Union exist for certain mycotoxins in balanced feed, no specific maximum limits have been established for these contaminants in the egg matrix in European regulations or the Codex Alimentarius. This situation poses a challenge for risk assessment and the development of surveillance strategies based on analytical information.
Given this scenario, the methodology developed by SENASA allows for progress in generating data on the presence of mycotoxins in both matrices. In the case of balanced feed, the work included the evaluation of results in relation to European reference limits; for eggs, the aim was to achieve the lowest possible detection levels, with the objective of having useful information for future monitoring.
These data can contribute to characterizing the situation, identifying surveillance needs, and providing technical evidence to evaluate eventual risk management measures. In this way, the development transcends the performance of a routine test and is integrated into a strategy to strengthen official food control tools.
From method development to validation
To develop the methodology, the SENASA laboratory team worked on sample treatment, including the extraction and purification stages of the compounds of interest. They also conducted preliminary studies on repeatability, linearity, and selectivity, whose results indicated that the method meets favorable initial conditions to advance towards its analytical validation.
The project is ongoing. The next stage consists of completing this validation according to international standards, for which the necessary laboratory supplies and services have been requested.
This instance is fundamental to formally establish the method's performance and support its application under the foreseen conditions of use. Once completed, it will allow for determining its suitability for incorporation into the corresponding analytical activities.
A scientific contribution to official control
The work was presented in poster format under the title “Development and verification of a mycotoxin method in feed and chicken eggs by LC-MS/MS”, during the IX Latin American Food Safety Symposium and the VI Argentine Food Safety Symposium, held simultaneously at the Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) headquarters, in Puerto Madero, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
The meetings brought together representatives from the scientific, academic, and industry communities to exchange knowledge and experiences on the main challenges of food safety.
SENASA's participation allowed for sharing the progress of a development generated from a concrete analytical need and showing how the scientific and technical work of its laboratories can translate into new tools for official control.
Through initiatives like this, the Agency strengthens its analytical capabilities, promotes the generation of scientific evidence, and contributes to the development of strategies aimed at protecting food safety and consumer health.
