The Detection of five mycotoxins in cocoa bean and its products with QuEChERS Method using Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Abstract

Cocoa beans are essential for various food and beverage products, necessitating imports due to high demand. A validated analytical method for simultaneously detecting ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in cocoa was developed using the QuEChERS technique. The analysis was performed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in positive MRM mode. Results showed strong linearity (correlation coefficients > 0.999), with detection limits for mycotoxins between 0.11 and 0.99 µg/kg and quantification limits from 0.34 to 2.99 µg/kg. The average recovery rates ranged from 73.4% to 103.5%, with RSDs between 8.2% and 31.5%. This method is sensitive, accurate, and reliable for mycotoxin detection in cocoa products.