Analysis of trichothecene mycotoxins in human blood by capillary column gas chromatography-ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Capillary column gas chromatography-ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry was found to be an excellent technique for the trace detection and identification of underivatized trichothecene mycotoxins. Abundant (M + H)+ and/or (M + NH4)+ pseudo-molecular ions were observed for T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, T-2 triol, diacetoxyscirpenol, deoxynivalenol and verrucarol under the conditions developed. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of human blood samples spiked with mycotoxins in the 0-500 ng/g range during a recent interlaboratory exercise. T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol were detected in these samples in the 2-180 ng/g range. Detection limits of 0.7 and 3.6 ng/g for T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol, respectively, were possible owing to the specificity of the method.