A rapid HPLC assay for zearalenone in laboratory cultures ofFusarium graminearum

A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method to determine zearalenone in corn contaminated withFusarium graminearum is described. After extraction with methanol-water and solvent partition, samples were cleaned up by applying the extract to a disposable silica cartridge and by eluting the toxin with a mixture of hexane/dry ethyl ether (5/5). Separation was achieved by a reverse phase μBondapak C18 column followed by fluorescence detection using an excitation wavelength at 274 nm and an emission wavelength at 440 nm. Detection limit was about 5 ng. Recoveries ranging from 85.37 to 100.97%, in standard solutions range 30–0.5 µg/ml, were found.