Abstract
The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFs) in liquorice products made in Italy was surveyed. Twenty-eight samples of dried liquorice extract and fifty-four of liquorice confectionery (liquorice content between 2 and 10%) were collected from retail outlets located in northern Italy. After extraction and purification through an immunoaffinity column, OTA and AFs were analysed using both HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS/MS. OTA occurred in all samples of dried liquorice extract and in 61% of samples of liquorice confectionery, showing very high values for the former (mean 89.6 µg kg-1, maximum value 990.1 µg kg-1), and relatively low levels for the latter (mean 0.96 µg kg-1, maximum value 8.3 µg kg-1). The contribution of dried liquorice extract to OTA intake appears to be non-negligible for children, who are potentially high consumers. AF contamination resulted very low: AFB1 was detected only in 15.8% of samples (maximum value 7.7 µg kg-1, mean 0.38 and 0.41 µg kg-1 for dried liquorice extract and liquorice confectionery, respectively); the other AFs were not detected. To our knowledge, it is the first time that AFB1 has been detected in liquorice extract samples.
Highlights
Liquorice (Glycyrrhizia glabra L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant; it is cultivated mainly in countries of the Mediterranean area, but it is widespread in Germany, Russia, China and Australia.Liquorice is a widely consumed medicinal herb and a common dietary supplement; it is used either as Toxins 2010, 2 a fresh or dry rhizome, or as a liquorice extract; the latter is obtained after treatment of roots with steam or hot water and following concentration of the extract, to produce a syrup-like material or a solid liquorice block
It is the first time that AFB1 has been detected in liquorice extract samples
In a preliminary survey on a limited number of samples (20) purchased in Italy, we found high levels of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in dried liquorice products and limited AFB1 contamination in dried liquorice products and liquorice confectionery (2–10% of liquorice) [27].The present study reports the results of a further survey, on the incidence and levels of OTA and AFs in these two types of products and evaluates their contribution to OTA and aflatoxin intake in humans
Summary
Liquorice (Glycyrrhizia glabra L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant; it is cultivated mainly in countries of the Mediterranean area, but it is widespread in Germany, Russia, China and Australia. The selection of liquorice rhizomes based on homogeneity of colour did not result in a significant reduction of OTA contamination; on the contrary, peeling of roots and processing for the production of liquorice extract and block liquorice significantly reduced the OTA level [26]. These processes do not eliminate the problem and a non-negligible OTA contamination can remain in liquorice extract and in liquorice-containing confectionery, sweets widely consumed by children.
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