Optimising QuEChERS method for determining five amanita peptide toxins in mixed wild mushrooms

Introduction: this study establishes an optimised quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method integrated with high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for detecting five amatoxins in wild mushrooms. Methods: samples were ultrasonically extracted using a methanol-water mixture and purified using an adsorbent. The separation of the five amatoxins was performed in a C 18 column using 5-mmol/L ammonium formate solution (0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile as the mobile phases. The five peptide toxins exhibit a remarkable linear relationship in the range of 10-500 μg/L. Results: the limits of detection and quantification were 8-13 and 26-42 μg/kg, respectively. Moreover, recoveries ranged from 80.1% to 120.3%. The peptide toxin can still be detected in a mixed sample containing positive and negative samples. Conclusion: this method is simple, accurate and suitable for detecting amatoxins in mixed wild mushrooms. It holds significant potential for addressing wild mushroom poisoning incidents and enhancing food safety regulation.