Determination of aflatoxicol in human urine by immunoaffinity column clean-up and liquid chromatography

A method for the determination of aflatoxicol in urine has been developed. The urine samples were cleaned up by an automated procedure using immunoaffinity columns before analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Post-column derivatization with bromine allowed the simultaneous determination of aflatoxicol and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and Q1. Average recovery of aflatoxicol was 99% in the range 4–40 pg ml−1 of spiked urine samples. The relative standard deviations were all between 1% and 3%. The limit of detection was 1 pg ml−1 urine. Authentic samples from exposed feed-factory workers were analysed, but aflatoxin levels were found to be below the detection limit.