Implementation of electrochemical elements for an alternative detection of ochratoxin A

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic metabolite, hepatotoxic and carcinogenic produced mainly by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi. Usually, the mycotoxin analysed through the technique of high performance liquid chromatography. This method is expensive and takes a lot of time. Therefore, expected to automate a device of low cost, minimal instrumentation micropolarographic (MIMP) for the analysis. For this purpose, the right programming environment and the manufacturing of the software for the graphical user interface selected automation of the MIMP through the design and simulation of the circuit, imprint and assembled in a container with connection ports. Lastly, validation and analysis of Ochratoxin A by cyclic voltammetry from analogous MIMP, automatic MIMP and a potentiostat, in order to corroborate the registered data. This way, voltammetry analysis of coumarin is obtained and the simulation of the MIMP electric circuit. Therefore, this are the key data during the investigation, because the molecule of OTA can be monitored through an acid hydrolysis of amides, composed by a phenylalanine and coumaric acid group, generating the significant decrease in the costs and time of analysis.