[HPLC analysis of alfatoxins in medicinal herb extracts by immunoaffinity column cleanup and post-column bromination].
OBJECTIVE
To develop a new and accurate method to quantify aflatoxins in medicinal herbs.


METHODS
This method consists of sample extraction by using MeOH-H2O (7:3), followed by clean-up with an immunoaffinity column, and finally HPLC determination with fluorescence detection. Aflatoxins B1 and G1 are determined as their bromine derivatives, produced in an on-line post-column derivatization system.


RESULTS
The overall average recoveries for different medicinal herbs spiked at two levels of standards were from 90.4% to 99.7%. The detection limit was 0.06 microg x kg(-1) for aflatoxins G2 and B2, and 0.20 microg x kg(-1) for aflatoxins G1 and B1.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of immunoaffinity column provides excellent cleanup of interfering substances. The method has been applied successfully to analyze 96 natural drugs.
Zhang
Xue-hui
XH
Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100094, China.
Chen
Jian-min
JM
D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000032:analysis; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D029745:Codonopsis / Q000737:chemistry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry
D000348:Aflatoxins; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C027955:aflatoxin G1; C029754:aflatoxin G2; C029753:aflatoxin B2; D016604:Aflatoxin B1