News Picture Generic

Characterization of Particle-Size-Based Homogeneity and Mycotoxin Distribution Using Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analysis

October 3, 2023

Toxins

Sample homogeneity dictates whether analyzing a test portion of an entire sample can provide representative information about incurred mycotoxins. In this study, we evaluated particle-size-distribution-based homogeneity of laboratory mycotoxin samples using laser diffraction particle size analysis and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 35: 2017. Incurred whole corn, compound feed, peanut butter, and wheat flour (500 g each) were comminuted using wet, cryogenic, or dry milling. We used a sample dividing (riffling) device to obtain representative subsamples (25 g each) and developed a laser diffraction particle size analysis procedure by optimizing key parameters such as the refractive index, absorption, and stirring rate. The homogeneity of the particle size distribution within laboratory subsamples was characterized using the optimized laser diffraction procedure. An assessment of homogeneity was also performed for individual mycotoxins in each incurred matrix sample following the procedure described in ISO Guide 35. The concentrations of the incurred mycotoxins were determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Within- and between-subsample variances of incurred aflatoxin B1 in peanut butter; deoxynivalenol in corn, compound feed, and wheat flour; and fumonisins in compound feed corroborated that when the particle size measurements were less than 850 µm, mycotoxins concentrations were consistent across independent test portions, which was confirmed using an analysis of variance (F-test). This study highlights the benefits of laser diffraction particle size analysis and suggests its use as a test procedure to evaluate homogeneity in new sample commodities.

For details

Characterization of particle-size-based homogeneity and mycotoxin distribution using laser diffraction particle size analysis

Kai Zhang, Ivy Tran and Steven Tan

Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070450

For more information about the used Chemspeed solutions:

SWING SP

Contact us to learn more about this exciting article:

https://www.chemspeed.com/contact-us/

Other Recent News

Discover more news articles you might be interested in

Read more about Complementary and Spatially Resolved Operando Spectroscopic Investigation of Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/CeO₂ Catalysts during CO/NO Conversion
News Picture 1 1 V2
Oct
14

Complementary and Spatially Resolved Operando Spectroscopic Investigation of Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/CeO₂ Catalysts during CO/NO Conversion

The composition of reaction mixtures strongly influences the structural evolution and performance of noble metal-based catalysts. In this work, we compared the effect of the simultaneous presence of CO and NO on the noble metal state and CO oxidation activity of Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/CeO2 catalysts under close-to-stoichiometric conditions using complementary in situ/operando X-ray and infrared spectroscopic techniques.

Read more about Influence of the CeO₂ Morphology and Initial Pd–Pt Interaction Degree on Catalyst Activity and Stability
News Picture 1 1 V2
Oct
7

Influence of the CeO₂ Morphology and Initial Pd–Pt Interaction Degree on Catalyst Activity and Stability

Due to its peculiar properties and strong interaction with noble metals, ceria is widely used as a catalyst support for numerous applications. In this work, morphologically pure and highly crystalline ceria nanocubes and nanorods were prepared to systematically investigate both the impact of the support morphology and Pd–Pt interaction degree on the noble metal-support interplay during CO oxidation.

Read more about High-throughput RAFT Polymerization via Automated Batch, Increment, and Continuous Flow Platforms
News Picture 1 1 V2
Featured
Sep
23

High-throughput RAFT Polymerization via Automated Batch, Increment, and Continuous Flow Platforms

We report an automated strategy to conduct RAFT copolymerizations using a Chemspeed robotic platform capable of executing batch, incremental, and continuous monomer addition workflows under inert conditions. Copolymerizations of oligo(ethylene glycol) acrylate with benzyl acrylate (as a control) and fluorescein o-acrylate were conducted in toluene, THF, and DMF, with reaction progress monitored via ¹H NMR spectroscopy at defined intervals.

© Chemspeed Technologies 2025