A high pressure liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of zearalenone in chicken blood

Abstract

A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described to determine zearalenone in chicken blood. Samples are extracted with acetonitrile, followed by a hexane cleanup procedure and extracted further with ethyl acetate. The analysis of zearalenone is by HPLC using a reverse phase radial compression separation system, an ultraviolet absorbance detector and a mobile phase of acetonitrile‐water 60:40 (v/v). Recoveries of zearalenone in blood at levels of 50–200 ng/ml are in the range of 66.8–72.6%.     

The effect of acute administration of the mycotoxin zearalenone to female pigs∗

Abstract

Crystalline zearalenone was administered to young female pigs at dose levels of 0, 3.5, 7.5 and 11.5 mg zearalenone/kg body weight. All animals receiving the mycotoxin exhibited vulva vag‐initis and had enlarged reproductive tracts, 1 week after dosing. Free zearalenone was found in the blood, feces and urine of dosed animals. The highest zearalenone level detected was 2.61 ng/ml from a pig that received the 7.5 mg/kg dose. After 24 hours, feces collected contained on average up to 308 ng zearalenone per g of dried feces. Zearalenone levels of up to 59 ng/ml, and a ‐zearalenol levels of up to 155 ng/ml urine were found. ß ‐zearalenol was also detected in the urine.