Determination of ergosterol in paddy rice using solid phase extraction

Ergosterol, the predominant sterol found in most fungi, is considered as an indicator of fungal invasion in grain. An extraction method based on solid phase extraction (SPE) has been developed for determination of ergosterol in unmilled rice, generally called paddy. The samples obtained by extraction through SPE have been analysed by HPLC. The method has been validated in experiments with paddy subjected to different drying treatments and recoveries above 85% have been obtained. SPE appeared to be simple, quick, reliable and consistent for ergosterol analysis. The ergosterol levels obtained in the paddy samples were found to be within the expected range and were comparable with those found using conventional methods.