Rapid thin layer chromatographic determination of patulin, citrinin, and aflatoxin in apples and pears, and their juices and jams.

A method is described to determine the mycotoxins patulin, citrinin, and aflatoxins in apples and pears and their juices and jams. The mycotoxins are extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile and 4% aqueous KC1 (9 + 1). The extract is cleaned up with water and then acidified, and the toxins are recovered with chloroform and separated by thin layer chromatography. Toxin identity is confirmed with various developing solvents, spray reagents, and chemical reactions, and then quantitated by the limit of detection method. The minimum detectable concentrations of the mycotoxins are patulin, 120-130 micrograms/kg; citrinin, 30-40 micrograms/kg; aflatoxin B1 or G1, 2-2.8 micrograms/kg; aflatoxin B2 or G2, 2 micrograms/kg.