High pressure liquid chromatographic detection of zearalenone in chicken tissue

Abstract

Reference is made to the widespread occurrence of the mycotoxin zearalenone in feed ingredients and mixed feeds. The likelihood of zearalenone residues occurring in edible tissues of chickens fed a contaminated ration is elaborated upon. Residues of zearalenone in chicken tissues may be of concern in terms of food safety. A simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed for the quantitative analysis of zearalenone in fat, kidney, heart tissue and blood of chickens employing high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Zearalenone was extracted with acetonitrile, cleaned up with hexane and extracted further with ethyl acetate. Zearalenone was determined by HPLC using a reverse phase radial compression separation system, an ultraviolet absorbance detector and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water 60:40 (v/v). The mean recoveries of zearalenone added at levels from 50-200 ppb were in the range of 82.6-95.1% for tissues and 68.8-72.6% for whole blood. The technique should be useful in routine food surveillance programs and for field monitoring of poultry suspected of being exposed to zearalenone-contaminated feed. Single oral doses of zearalenone (110 mg/kg) were administered to chickens. The mycotoxin was rapidly absorbed. Zearalenone was cleared from the blood within 2-3 hours and eliminated from the body within 24-48 hours after a single oral dose. For the purposes of tissue residue studies, single oral doses have limited value, but are of use for metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies. Chickens were dosed low levels of zearalenone (25 mg/kg) daily for seven days. Zearalenone can be found in the fat deposits of chickens administered the mycotoxin orally. The mycotoxin disappeared from the fat within three days of termination of exposure. A public health hazard exists since zearalenone residues may enter the human food chain via chickens fed a zearalenone-contaminated ration just prior to slaughter.