Occurrence Of Ochratoxin Research Articles

Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of yam flour from markets in Nigeria

The natural occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs) and fumonisins (FBs) in yam flour samples (n=100) obtained in south-western Nigeria was evaluated. AFs were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection and FBs by HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) were found in 57% and 21% of flours from white yam with concentrations ranging from <0.02 (limit of detection, LOD) to 3.2μgkg−1 (mean=0.4μgkg−1) and from <0.05 to 3.5μgkg−1, respectively. AFB1 was the only aflatoxin detected in samples from water yam, contaminating 32% of the samples with values ranging from <LOD to 0.6μgkg−1 (mean=0.1μgkg−1). Fumonisin B1 was found in 32% of the white yam samples (<0.5 (LOD) to 91μgkg−1; mean=5μgkg−1) and in 5% of water yam samples (<LOD to 2μgkg−1). AFs and FBs were significantly higher (P<0.05) in white yam flours compared to water yam flours. Preparation of amala from naturally-contaminated yam flour resulted in reduction of AFB1 and AFG1 by 44% and 51% respectively. From this study, only 7% of the samples contained AFs above the European standard limits for cereals intended for direct human consumption, while all the FBs-positive samples were well below the limits. The occurrence of ochratoxin A, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol was also evaluated in 20 samples; these mycotoxins were never detected.

Mycotoxin occurrence in beer produced in several European countries

The occurrence of ochratoxin A, trichothecenes, fumonisins and aflatoxins in a sample of 106 beers produced in several European countries, was investigated. The analyses were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection for ochratoxin A and aflatoxins, gas-chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, both coupled with mass spectrometer, for trichothecenes and fumonisins, respectively. Aflatoxins were not detected in any samples, whereas ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins were found in a relatively high number of samples. Their presence was at low levels in all samples; however, some differences were observed between the European countries. As regards ochratoxin A, beer samples from southern Europe showed levels always lower than 0.040μgl−1, while the samples from other European countries showed significantly higher values, up to 0.189μgl−1 (P<0.001). For fumonisins, the levels of Italian beers were significantly higher compared to the samples from other countries (P=0.006).

Occurrence of Ochratoxin A in Grain and Manufactured Food Products in China Detected by HPLC with Fluorescence Detection and Confirmed by LC–ESI–MS/MS

A total of 110 commercially available samples of manufactured food products including bread, oat, barley, maize, corn, wheat, grape, soluble coffee, soya bean, red wine, and baby food were randomly collected in the northeast of China during the first six months of 2010. Samples were analyzed for the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) using immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) and confirmed with LC-ESI-MS/MS. The range of average OTA recoveries was 78.3-103.3% at three spiked levels. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of recoveries range of 2.1-4.3%. OTA were detected in 13 samples, which were below the maximum allowable limit established by the European Community. The results of this study suggest that those manufactured food products consumed in China present no risk by human exposure to OTA through their consumption.

A Survey of Spontaneous Occurrence of Ochratoxin A Residues in Chicken Tissues and Concurrence With Histopathological Changes in Liver and Kidneys

Toxicological and histopathological investigations of tissues of commercially slaughtered chickens were carried out to provide a preliminary evaluation of the incidence of occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in chicken sold in Serbian retail market. In addition, the etiology of nephropathies of these chickens was elucidated. The majority of these tissue samples were not found to contain measurable amounts of OTA. Moreover, the OTA levels found in analyzed tissues were generally low and there was no positive correlation between the presence of OTA and the frequency of histopathological changes. Histopathological changes such as degenerative changes in the kidneys and liver differed from the classical description of the mycotoxic nephropathy, indicating that the chicken nephropathy observed in Serbia may have a multitoxic etiology with possible synergistic effect between microorganisms and natural toxins, usually present in low concentrations. The low OTA results also suggested that chicken meat available in the retail market in Serbia are unlikely to pose any significant adverse health risk to the consumers with respect to OTA toxicity.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in wine and beer samples from China

A total of 125 wine and beer samples, including 42 white, 63 red wine and 20 beer samples, originating from several areas of China were analyzed for ochratoxin A (OTA). An analytical method based on immunoaffinity column (IAC) for clean-up and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC–FD) was used to determine OTA. Positive results were further confirmed by LC–MS–MS. OTA was detected in 22 (17.6%) samples at levels of 0.02–1.18 ng/ml, which were below the EU maximum limit. The mean OTA concentration in red wine was slightly higher than in white wine. This study showed that OTA occurs in wine and beer in China but at levels that pose no danger of significant human exposure to OTA from this source.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A and citrinin in Czech cereals and comparison of two HPLC methods for ochratoxin A detection

The aims of the study were to obtain information about the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) in cereals harvested in the Czech Republic and to compare two analytical procedures for detecting OTA. A total of 34 cereal samples, including two matrix reference materials (R-Biopharm, Germany), were analysed. The results were compared with the limit for raw cereal grains used as a foodstuff according to Commission Regulation No. 1881/2006, which allows a maximum OTA level of 5 µg kg−1. Compared were two methods based on the high-performance liquid chromatography principle, one using the immunoaffinity columns OchraTest™ (VICAM) and the second based on solvent partition (PART), both followed by fluorescence detection. The highest OTA contents were found in two barley samples. According to the method employed, the results for the first sample (malting barley) were VICAM = 31.43 µg kg−1 and PART = 44.74 µg kg−1. For the second sample (feeding barley) they were VICAM = 48.63 µg kg−1 and PART = 34.40 µg kg−1. Two samples of bread wheat had an OTA content approaching the legal limit (VICAM = 4.71 µg kg−1 and PART = 6.03 µg kg−1; VICAM = 4.12 µg kg−1 and PART = 3.95 µg kg−1). CIT was analysed using the PART method only, and its highest content (93.64 µg kg−1) was found for the malting barley sample with high OTA content (44.74 µg kg−1 as analysed using PART).

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in Rioja Alavesa wines

In this survey the influence of the geographical location and the kind of wine in the concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) was studied. Forty percent of the Spanish wine market belongs to the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origen (DOCa Rioja) wines, which are already worldwide known. A total of 100 wines from the Rioja Alavesa (RA) production area of the DOCa Rioja were analysed, using immunoaffinity column clean-up and high-performance liquid-chromatography with fluorimetric detection (detection limit 0.002μg/l). The presence of OTA was greater in wines produced in low rainfall and high temperature regions. The geographical location and kind of wine did not seem to have influence on the OTA concentration.The mean OTA concentration of RA wines was 0.035μg/l and its contribution to mean daily OTA intake could be considered negligible, representing a 0.07% of the latest tolerable weekly intake (TWI) established in 2006 by EFSA.

Ochratoxin A in Spanish retail ground roasted coffee: Occurrence and assessment of the exposure in Catalonia

Occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in ground roasted coffee from different brands and types available in Spain was assessed. Based on these data, exposure of the Catalan population to OTA through coffee consumption was estimated. Coffee samples were purchased in hypermarkets and supermarkets of twelve cities of Catalonia, Spain, and composite samples were prepared for analysis. OTA was extracted, cleaned-up by immunoaffinity columns, and detected by HPLC-fluorescence detection. Mean OTA content ( n = 72) was 2.17 ± 0.79 ng/g (range 1.21–4.21 ng/g, 49% occurrence). An additional sampling was done by brands ( n = 45), mean OTA contamination being 2.07 ± 0.61 ng/g (range 1.30–5.24 ng/g, 95% occurrence). Coffee consumption data were obtained by means of a food frequency questionnaire. Mean coffee consumption per capita was 11.58 ± 8.73 g/person/day. OTA daily intake (DI) was estimated by means of deterministic and probabilistic methods. In both cases, estimated DI (around 0.22 ng/kg bw/day) was below the latest PTDI value of 17 ng/kg bw/day suggested by EFSA.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in Korean red paprika and factors to be considered in prevention strategy

A large amount-260,000 tons-of red paprika is consumed annually in Korea, where the people prefer hot and pungent to sweet foods. Concern has recently grown among consumers over contamination of paprika powder by mycotoxins; contamination can occur at any stage from pre-harvest to drying, storage, grinding, and eventually transport to the retail market. This study had dual aims: to investigate the current level of contamination of hot peppers by ochratoxin A and to identify the critical control points in the food chain. We measured the ochratoxin A (OTA) content of 200 samples from various sources including supermarkets, an online shopping mall, small stakeholder mills, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-implemented factories, and an import company. Mycotoxin was determined using immunoaffinity column cleanup/HPLC quantification as well as strong anion exchange cleanup/stable isotope dilution assay. Monitoring revealed that approximately 30% of red paprika samples were OTA-positive, indicating a need to establish a maximum level for regulation. We selected two model factories that had adopted HACCP in different ways, and compared data in order to develop guidelines for alleviation of mitigation of the mycotoxin contamination.

Mycotoxins in grapes and wine in Europe: occurrence, factors affecting the occurrence and related toxicological effects

In 2006, the European Commission has established maximum levels for ochratoxin A in wine and grape products, using occurrence data up to 2001 and toxicity data up to 2006. This paper presents an up-to-date overview of the occurrence of mycotoxins in grapes and wine produced in Europe in the period 1995-2010. In addition, for the most frequently occurring mycotoxins, factors influencing the occurrence, and the toxicological effects are presented. To evaluate possible trends in occurrence, contamination data were grouped into three periods of time, i.e. 1995-1999, 2000-2006 and 2007-2010. Most of the available contamination data on mycotoxins in grapes and wine refer to ochratoxin A, but occurrence data on this toxin from 2006 onwards are very limited. The occurrence of ochratoxin A is higher in the southern European countries than in the northern countries, and higher in red and sweet wines as compared to white wines. Fumonisins occur frequently, but in low concentrations. Data on the natural occurrence of Alternaria toxins are not available. The most important factors that influence ochratoxin A contamination of grapes and wine include: temperature and relative humidity in the month before harvesting the berries, the type of wine (maceration), and the percentage of damaged berries before vinification. Applying good agricultural practices in the vineyard, including minimizing damaged berries and chemical or biological control of the fungi, are the best methods to limit mycotoxin formation in grapes and wine. Ochratoxin A, Alternaria toxins and fumonisins are toxic to animals. These toxins are of concern to human health, but clear evidence on their relationship with human disease is not available yet. Therefore, more research in this area would be desirable.

Determination of Patulin and Ochratoxin A using HPLC in apple juice samples in Saudi Arabia

Although, Patulin and Ochratoxin are produced by the same genera of molds, however, Patulin was the most extensively studied mycotoxins in apple juice and no reports have explored the presence of Ochratoxin A in the apple juice. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the presence of Patulin and Ochratoxin A in apple juice in Saudi Arabian market of Jeddah. Potato dextrose agar(PDA) was used to detect fungal contamination. Patulin was determined using HPLC equipped with a UV detector set at 276 nm. Also, HPLC with fluorescence detector was set at 333 and 420 nm as excitation and emission wavelength, respectively,was used for Ochratoxin A separation. All samples of apple juice were free from fungi and yeasts. The Patulin (PAT) was detected in only one type out of 17 types (5.88%) with a concentration of 152.5 ppb, (305%) increased compared with the maximum permitted level (50 ppb). However the occurrence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in apple juice samples was discovered in 5 types out of 17 types (29.41%). The concentration of OTA ranged from 100 to 200 ppb reaching 5–10-folds compared with the permissible limits (20 ppb).

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in Southern Spanish generous wines under the denomination of Origin "Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and 'manzanilla' Sanlúcar de Barrameda".

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) has toxic effects in animals; the most relevant of them is nephrotoxicity. OTA has also been classified as a possible carcinogen for humans (group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Therefore, exposure to OTA through contaminated food can represent health impairment to humans. The maximum permitted level for this mycotoxin in wine is 2.0 μg/L. The presence of OTA in Spanish wines produced using the traditional methods under the Denomination of Origin “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda” was evaluated by a High performance Liquid Chromatography method with fluorescence detection and immunoaffinity column purification. A recovery of 95.4% and a limit of detection and quantification of 0.009 μg/L and 0.02 μg/L respectively, were achieved. In manzanilla, fino, amontillado and oloroso wine, the mean OTA values were 0.042, 0.044, 0.144, and 0.319 μg/L, respectively. These levels are not different from other data given in the reference literature on white wines, although fino and manzanilla wines have very low OTA levels.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in foods commonly consumed in Turkey

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in foods commonly consumed in Turkey

Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxins in Liquorice Products

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.

Mycobiota and Ochratoxin A in laboratory mice feed: preliminary study

The occurrence of mycotoxin-producing moulds in animal feed is a hazard for animals. When these undesirable substances contaminate laboratory animal feed, convey an additional problem in experimental animal assays confidence levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate fungal contamination and to determine natural occurrence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in 31 samples. OTA is a mycotoxin produced by fungi of two genera: Penicillium and Aspergillus. OTA has been shown to be nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic to a number of animal species and to cause kidney and liver tumors in mice and rats. In this preliminary study, feed mould counts ranged from 3 to 4.2 log(10) cfu/g (colonies forming units per gram). When these species are present, there is a significant risk of contamination with mycotoxins resulting in both acute diseases called mycotoxicoses and chronic conditions, often recognized as situations involving mycotoxins. The most frequent genus isolated was Cladosporium sp. (84%), followed by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium (81%) and Mucor sp. (77%). All rat feed samples were examined for OTA, using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The detection limit was 2.0 microg OTA kg(-1) and all samples revealed to be negative for this mycotoxin. These mycotoxicological researches put in evidence the importance of the use contaminant-free experimental animal feed in order to prevent any interference on the health of experimental animals and emphasizes the need for systematic control of the feed as a key issue in animal experimentation.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A before bottling in DOC and DOCG wines produced in Piedmont (Northern Italy)

Italy is one of the countries where ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in wine poses more risks. Previous surveys on the occurrence of OTA have poorly considered north Italian wines. In this study, 1206 red and white DOC and DOCG wines produced in Piedmont (Northern Italy) from 2000 to 2007 have been analyzed for OTA level (0.116 μg l −1) and incidence (68.0%). The monitoring – the widest per number of Italian wine samples considered – analyzed the OTA contamination of wines in tanks just before bottling. OTA level and incidence were significantly higher in red (0.121 μg l −1, 69.4%) than in white (0.086 μg l −1, 61.3%) wines. Among the white wines, the incidence was significantly lower in the Moscato wines (7.3%), due to the different wine processing. The differences in the mean OTA level in the three main grapevine varieties of red wines could be related to the harvest period. Among the Nebbiolo appellations, a reduction of the OTA level was noticed with increasing the wood aging period. A significant effect of the vintage year was also registered.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in raw ham muscle, salami and dry-cured ham from pigs fed with contaminated diet

Pork meat-derived products can contribute to the overall ochratoxin A intake, either by carry-over effect, or by environmental mould population cross-contamination. In order to assess the role of these different contamination routes, a study was carried out with pigs challenged orally with OTA contaminated feed at subchronical level. After slaughtering, thighs and minced meat from control and treated groups were transformed into dry-cured hams and salami, respectively, which were analysed for OTA determination after ripening. From collected data, the carry-over in muscle was generally low, whereas a significant contribution to the OTA contamination in dry-cured hams was due to toxinogenic mould population growing on their surface during ripening. Finally, a survey of different types of dry-cured ham (n = 110), from the Italian market, was performed, showing the occurrence of OTA on the surface portion in 84 out of 110 samples with a median value of 0.53 μg/kg and in the inner core in 32 out of 110 samples with a median value lower than 0.1 μg/kg.

Ochratoxin A exposure assessment of the inhabitants of Lisbon during winter 2007/2008 through bread and urine analysis

A survey on the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in 41 bread samples was carried out in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Maize (5) and wheat bread (36) and 43 representative urine samples from the Lisbon region were assayed for OTA levels using immunoaffinity column cleanup (IAC) and HPLC with fluorimetric detection (LC–FD). The percentage of OTA-positive samples was slightly higher for maize bread (80%) than wheat bread (70.8%), although, due to its higher consumption, the latter contributes more to OTA exposure, featuring a higher estimated daily intake (EDI). In the urine samples analyzed, both female and male residents displayed similarly high levels of OTA frequency and average contamination. In summary, OTA is a food contaminant of concern and may constitute a hazard for public health through consumption of cereal-based products.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A and heavy metals in tissues associated with porcine nephropathy in Serbia

In order to find information on the occurrence of mycotoxic porcine nephropathy in Serbia, during a six month period (2006/2007) samples of blood, kidney and liver from individual animals were collected from healthy slaughtered pigs (n=90) and analysed by HPLC for ochratoxin A (OTA). In addition, the presence of nephrotoxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic were measured and the kidneys pathohistologically examined. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22-14.5 ng/g. The incidence of OTA in serum and kidney were very similar (30 and 31.1%), but varied between 0.24-220.8 ng/ml and 0.17-52.5 ng/g, respectively. The presence of mercury was confirmed in 33.3% of kidney samples and concentrations ranged between 0.005-0.055 mg/kg, while cadmium was found less frequently (27.7% positive samples) but at higher levels (0.05-1.23 mg/kg). The presence of arsenic was found in only one sample, while lead was not detected in any sample. Histopathological examination of kidneys confirmed tubulopathies with oedema and cell vacuolisation. In addition, haemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubules' cells were found. These findings indicate that it is likely that most of the kidney injury is related to OTA and other nephrotoxic compounds which enhance the toxicity of OTA.

Ubiquity of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in animal feeds in Republic of Serbia

Climatic conditions and growing of grain on large areas in Republic of Serbia are suitable for development of numerous toxigenic species, such as Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., and resulting from this is frequent incidence of animal feed contamination by their toxic products. In Republic of Serbia, the most frequent fungi determined in animal feed are those from Fusarium genus, as well as their mycotoxins. Of Fusarium species the most frequent one is F. graminearum, and of toxins zearalenon, in maize or wheat grains, which are the main raw material in production of animal feeds. Development of this fungi and bio-synthesis of zearalenon most often depend on period of rains in the third decade of May when wheat is in the blossoming phenostage or on ample precipitation and low temperatures at the end of summer or beginning of autumn during sensitive pheno-stage of maize growing. Aflatoxins are rarely isolated in Republic of Serbia, but there are conditions for their increased presence in imported feed components. Natural occurrence of ochratoxin A is more frequent than incidence of aflatoxins in climatic conditions of Republic of Serbia. Presence of mycotoxins produced by species of genera Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium indicates potential risk of incidence of mycotoxicosis, especially in younger animal categories. For the purpose of protection of health of animals, realization of profit and high productivity in livestock production, it is necessary to explain factors which can cause animal intoxication, and to identify toxins and develop methodology for assessment of the potential toxicity of animal feed.