Detection and characterization of fumonisin mycotoxins as their methyl esters by liquid chromatography/particle‐beam mass spectrometry

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Abstract
The diazomethane‐derived tetramethyl esters of fumonisins can be introduced readily into mass spectrometers using flow injection analysis or liquid chromatography (LC) via a particle‐beam interface to yield chemical ionization and electron‐ionization spectra. The esters of fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 were well resolved on a C18 reversed‐phase column when eluted with a gradient of water + methanol + acetonitrile in the presence of 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid. Enhancement of analyte transport through the particle‐beam interface to afford increased ion abundances was achieved by addition of carriers. Polyfunctional amino acid carriers, such as L‐glutamic acid or L‐serine, effected at least 100‐fold increases in sensitivity. In the LC mode, post‐column addition of aqueous L‐serine was the most advantageous because background interference was limited to lower masses, and because of higher solubility, and ease of cleaning.