Mass spectral investigations on trichothecene mycotoxins. V. Direct analysis of satratoxins by tandem mass spectrometric techniques.

Under chemical ionization conditions, satratoxins preferentially produce negatively charged molecular ions (M-) over the positively charged protonated molecules. Collisionally activated dissociation of the M-.ions resulted in daughter ions and neutral losses which were characteristic of the macrocyclic ester bridges. Direct tandem mass spectrometric methods of analyses wee developed and applied for the detection and quantification of satratoxins in Stachybotrys atra fermentation broths. Minimum detectable levels for satratoxin standards were 5 pg. A synthetically modified macrocyclic trichothecene, 8-ketoverrucarin A, was used as an internal standard for the quantification of satratoxins in fermentation samples.