A new method named graphene-coated magnetic-sheet solid-phase extraction based on a magnetic three-dimensional graphene sorbent was developed for the extraction of aflatoxins prior to high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The use of a perforated magnetic-sheet for fixing the magnetic nanoparticles is a new feature of the method. Hence, the adsorbent particles can be separated from sample solution without using an external magnetic field. This made the procedure very simple and easy to operate so that all steps of the extraction process (sample loading, washing, and desorption) were carried out continuously using two lab-made syringe pumps. The factors affecting the performance of extraction procedure such as the extraction solvent, adsorbent dose, sample loading flow rate, ionic strength, pH, and desorption parameters were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the obtained enrichment factors and limits of detection were in the range of 205-236 and 0.09-0.15 μg/kg, respectively. The relative standard deviations were <3.4 and 7.5% for the intraday (n = 6) and interday (n = 4) precisions, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to determine aflatoxins B1 , B2 , G1 , and G2 in different soy-based food samples.
Keywords: aflatoxins; graphene; high-performance liquid chromatography; magnetic solid-phase extraction; soy.
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