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High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC; formerly referred to as high-pressure liquid chromatography), is a technique in analytical chemistry used to separate, identify, and quantify each component in a mixture. It relies on pumps to pass a pressurized liquid solvent containing the sample mixture through a column filled with a solid adsorbent material each component in the sample interacts slightly differently with the adsorbent material, causing different flow rates for the different components and leading to the separation of the components as they flow out the column.

A simplified method for the determination of forchlorfenuron in agricultural products by HPLC with UV detection was investigated. A chopped sample homogenate from agricultural products was extracted with acetone. The extract was filtrated and concentrated. The residues was loaded onto a Chem Elut column and extracted with ethyl acetate. The crude extract was purified on Oasis HLB and Bond Elut PSA mini-columns using a mixture of methanol and ethyl acetate. Forchlorfenuron was analyzed by HPLC with UV detection (263 nm). HPLC separation was performed on an ODS column with methanol-water as the mobile phase. Recoveries of forchlorfenuron from several agricultural products fortified at the level of 0.1 microg/g were in the range of 87.6-99.5%. The limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.005 microg/g in the sample.Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, with ultraviolet – UV – or  fluorescence detection), column switching procedure, post-column derivatization.Aflatoxins are toxic carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced predominantly by two fungal species:Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These fungal species are contaminants of foodstuff as well as feeds and are responsible for aflatoxin contamination of these agro products. The toxicity and potency of aflatoxins make them the primary health hazard as well as responsible for losses associated with contaminations of processed foods and feeds. Determination of aflatoxins concentration in food stuff and feeds is thus very important. However, due to their low concentration in foods and feedstuff, analytical methods for detection and quantification of aflatoxins have to be specific, sensitive, and simple to carry out. Several methods including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectroscopy, enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA), and electrochemical immunosensor, among others, have been described for detecting and quantifying aflatoxins in foods. Each of these methods has advantages and limitations in aflatoxins analysis. This review critically examines each of the methods used for detection of aflatoxins in foodstuff, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each method. Finally, a way forward for overcoming such obstacles is suggested.

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Prem Baboo