Determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in various maize products by a combined SAX + C18 column and immunoaffinity column.

Fumonisins B1 and B2 were determined in 42 samples of different maize products from the Swedish market by 2 different methods based on cleanup steps using an immunoaffinity column and a combination of SAX + C18 columns, respectively. A simple "precipitation step" was included before the samples were added to the main column(s), giving less column clogging, fewer interfering peaks, and better recoveries for the different sample matrixes. Recovery, repeatability, and results from the survey showed comparable results with the methods. The limit of detection for both methods was 5 micrograms/kg for fumonisin B1 and 10 micrograms/kg for fumonisin B2. All 7 maize chips analyzed and 6 of 8 popcorn samples contained fumonisins (B1 + B2) with averages of 180 and 115 micrograms/kg, respectively. All other samples except a maize flour sample contained little or no fumonisins.