HPLC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins in blood: toxicokinetics of aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 in rats

Abstract Mycotoxins are highly toxic fungal metabolites that can pose health threats to humans and animals. Aflatoxins a type of mycotoxin produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus A. parasiticus . A sensitive high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) modes was developed for the determination aflatoxins in blood after acetonitrile precipitation extraction. The limits quantification ranged from 0.05 0.2 ng/mL. Intra-day accuracy 92 111.0%, intra-day precision ( n = 6) 1 8%. Inter-day were 94.0–102.0% 2.0–8.0%, respectively. toxicokinetics AFB1 its metabolite AFM1 single oral administration (AFB1 mg/kg body weight) studied male Sprague–Dawley rats. profiles could be adequately described noncompartmental model. highest concentration C max 93.42 ± 23.01 ng/mL) observed T at 0.15 0.034 h. rapidly metabolized which reached peak 53.86 12.12 0.33 0.11 HPLC–MS/MS simple sensitive, appropriate studying vivo aflatoxins.