CONTAMINATION OF PATULIN IN CLEAR APPLE JUICE IN MASHHAD, IRAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Patulin is a frequent contaminant of moldy and rotten apples and apple products. The aim of this study was to evaluate patulin contamination in 58 apple juices collected from a retail market in Mashhad during winter and spring of 2006. Samples were assayed for patulin by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Fifty‐four samples were positive for patulin at levels that ranged from 10.5 to 121.8 µg/L, and six samples had patulin levels higher than 50 µg/L. The overall mean of patulin concentration was 29.2 ± 19.5 µg/L. Forty‐eight samples had patulin concentration between 5 and 50 µg/L. Although the mean concentration of patulin samples was lower than Iranian maximum tolerated level of 50 µg/L, contamination of 10% of the samples at levels higher than 50 µg/L indicated the need for improving production techniques by the industry.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSStudies have shown that the concentration of patulin may exceed the determined limits in apple juice and in other fruit products. Its presence can be a potential threat to the health of consumers, particularly children. The results may help us in understanding what should be the level of patulin in apple juice. The awareness of the apple industry of patulin contamination in fruit and the implementation of improved techniques for the production of apple products with reduced patulin concentrations have contributed to the quality of apple juice that are available on the Iranian market.