Differential-pulse polarography of trichothecene toxins: detection of deoxynivalenol in corn

Abstract

The polarographic behaviour of T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol has been investigated. It was found that the electrochemical activity of trichothecene toxins is related to the presence of an α,β-unsaturated keto group and consequently the polarographic method was selective for trichothecenes having keto groups. Differential-pulse polarography gave a detection limit for a pure solution of deoxynivalenol of 0.029 µmol l^–1(8.6 ng ml^–1). This technique, coupled with an appropriate extraction procedure, was applied to the determination of deoxynivalenol in Fusarium infected corn. A detection limit of about 50 ng g^–1(for 50 g of the original sample) was estimated.