Toxins · 8 authors, 4 centres
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The study developed and validated a rapid LC–MS/MS method for quantifying the carcinogen ptaquiloside (PTA) in various food matrices. Applying the method to 26 commercial products, it detected PTA below the limit of quantification in one bracken fern product and at 0.1 µg/kg in one beef sample, while PTA was not detected in the other products.
This study developed a rapid, sensitive, and simple LC–MS/MS method with a QuEChERS cleanup protocol for quantifying the unstable carcinogen ptaquiloside (PTA) in bracken fern, meat, and dairy products. PTA was detected below the LOQ in one commercially available bracken fern product and at a concentration of 0.1 µg/kg in one free-range beef sample. The study confirms the presence of PTA in some food sources but notes that the majority of tested samples had undetectable levels. Limitations include the small sample size and the lack of a comprehensive risk assessment, as toxicity studies were deemed insufficient.
