Evaluation of Automated Sample Preparation for Mycotoxin Analysis in Foods

BACKGROUND In the present study, we developed a novel automated sample preparation workflow for the determination of mycotoxins in foods. OBJECTIVE This workflow integrates off-line devices such as a centrifuge, shaker, liquid and solid dispensing units into a unified platform to perform gravimetric and volumetric dispensing, capping/decapping, extraction, shaking, filtration, and centrifugation. Two robotic arms provide sample transportation without human assistance. METHOD Critical method performance attributes were characterized using spiked corn, milk and peanut butter containing aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, HT-2 and T-2 toxins and zearalenone and certified reference materials. Prepared samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS Recoveries of spiked samples range 100-120% with RSD<20% and the majority of measured values of certified reference materials are consistent with certified values within ±20%. Within- and between-batch variabilities of QC samples range 5-9% and 7-12% respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our workflow introduces a straightforward and automated sample preparation procedure for LC-MS-based multimycotoxin analysis. Further, it demonstrates how individual sample preparation devices, that are conventionally used off-line, can be integrated together. HIGHLIGHTS This study shows automated sample preparation will replace manual operations and significantly increase the degree of automation and standardization for sample preparation.