High throughput and automated solid-phase microextraction and determination by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of mycotoxins in beer

There is high demand for rapid screening of toxics in food analysis. In this study, a new high-throughput and automated solid-phase microextraction (SPME) system was employed for the sample preparation of mycotoxins in beers. Matrix compatible SPME blades with thin coating layer were used, which significantly decreased the matrix effects in beer samples (≤ 12%). This SPME system allows 96 samples to be processed automatically and simultaneously with average preparation time of 57 s per sample. After sample preparation, the 96-well plate with desorption solution was sealed with a thin film and put into the LC-MS sampler for analysis via positive/negative ESI switching mode. The results also showed good sensitivity (limits of detection between 0.02 and 3 ng/mL) with R2 ≥ 0.9971, reproducibility (intra- and inter-day ≤ 8% and ≤ 13%, respectively), and accuracy (recoveries between 79% and 121%).