Recent advances and challenges in the analysis of natural toxins

Natural toxins (NTs) are poisonous secondary metabolites produced by living organisms developed to ward off predators. Especially low molecular weight NTs (MW<∼1 kDa), such as mycotoxins, phycotoxins, and plant toxins, are considered an important and growing food safety concern. Therefore, accurate risk assessment of food and feed for the presence of NTs is crucial. Currently, the analysis of NTs is predominantly performed with targeted high pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) methods. Although these methods are highly sensitive and accurate, they are relatively expensive and time-consuming, while unknown or unexpected NTs will be missed. To overcome this, novel on-site screening methods and non-targeted HPLC high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) methods have been developed. On-site screening methods can give non-specialists the possibility for broad “scanning” of potential geographical regions of interest, while also providing sensitive and specific analysis at the point-of-need. Non-targeted chromatography-HRMS methods can detect unexpected as well as unknown NTs and their metabolites in a lab-based approach. The aim of this chapter is to provide an insight in the recent advances, challenges, and perspectives in the field of NTs analysis both from the on-site and the laboratory perspective.