A new, simple and reliable analytical method based on
QuEChERS extraction technique coupled with HPLC–DAD for the
simultaneous determination of three Alternaria mycotoxins (alternariol,
alternariol monomethyl ether, and tentoxin) in pomegranate
samples (fruits and juices) has been developed and validated. This method provides satisfactory validation parameters in terms of
linearity, accuracy, precision, selectivity, limits of detection
(LODs) and quantification (LOQs), requiring only 10 ml of organic
solvent per sample. The linearity range was sufficient within the
tested concentration range, with correlation coefficients higher
than 0.9937 in all cases. The mean recoveries in pomegranate fruits
ranged from 82.0% to 107.5% and between 96.3% and 109.4% in
pomegranate juices. The uncertainty associated to the analytical
method, expressed as RSD, was lower than 10.9% for all compounds.
The LODs were from 0.015 lg/g to 0.02 lg/g while the LOQs were
between 0.05 and 0.066 lg/g. Finally, this method was applied to
sixteen real samples collected from different lots obtained from
Greek markets. Mycotoxins were not detected in any of these
samples. The proposed procedure could be utilized by analytical
laboratories for monitoring of mycotoxins in pomegranates fruits
and juice.