Application of an innovative matrix solid-phase dispersion–solid-phase extraction–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analytical methodology to the study of the metabolism of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone in rainbow trout liver and muscular tissue

The metabolic fate of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone in rainbow trout is presently unknown. In this study, the tissue concentration of zearalenone and its principal metabolites (α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol) was determined. A known amount of zearalenone was administered as a single bolus to ten fish, and the biological tissue concentration was determined at various times following administration. The analytes were extracted from liver and muscular tissue using an on-line matrix solid-phase dispersion–solid-phase extraction sample preparation protocol, and their concentration determined by HPLC–Turboionspray–tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that zearalenone is mainly metabolized into α-zearalenol in both liver and muscular tissues. The maximum concentrations of each analyte found in liver were 76.1, 211.2 and 63.7 ng/g respectively for zearalenone, α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol, while in muscular tissue they were 10.7, 8.2 and 6.5 ng/g. These values were reached after 2 h in liver tissue and 12 h in muscular tissue. Moreover the data obtained showed that the elimination rate in liver is quite fast since 48 h after the exposure less than 7% of the maximum concentration found is still present. In muscular tissue, however, about one-third of the maximum concentration found is still present after 48 h.