Sensitive, Quick LC/MS/MS Analysis of Aflatoxins in Cannabis

Quantitative analysis of mycotoxins commonly involves sampling, sample preparation, extraction, and cleanup followed by chromatographic methods such as GC and HPLC. The matrix complexity of cannabis often makes sample cleanup methods used for common commodities ineffective. In this study, a sample preparation method using Supel™ Tox AflaZea SPE cartridges for cleanup of cannabis extracts prior to LC/MS/MS analysis of aflatoxins was developed. Supel™ Tox AflaZea cartridges utilize the “interference removal” strategy, requiring few processing steps and saving time by eliminating wash steps prior to analyte elution. The Ascentis® Express Phenyl-Hexyl HPLC column provided the selectivity to separate four aflatoxin compounds in cannabis.