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Abstract
A method of screening sultanas for ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination, using mid-infrared spectroscopy/Golden Gate single-reflection ATR (attenuated total reflection), is described. The main spectral characteristics of sultanas from different sources were identified in a preliminary acquisition and spectral analysis study. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that samples of various origins had different spectral characteristics, especially in water content and the fingerprint region. A lack of reproducibility was observed in the spectra acquired on different days. However, spectral repeatability was greatly improved when water activity of the sample was set at 0.62. A calibration curve of OTA was constructed in the range 10–40 µg OTA kg−1. Samples with OTA levels higher than 20 µg kg−1 were separated from samples contaminated with a lower concentration (10 µg OTA kg−1) and from uncontaminated samples. The reported methodology is a reliable and simple technique for screening dried vine fruit for OTA.
†Paper presented at the 2nd International Symposium ‘‘Recent Advances in Food Analysis’’, Prague, 2–4 November 2005.
Notes
†Paper presented at the 2nd International Symposium ‘‘Recent Advances in Food Analysis’’, Prague, 2–4 November 2005.
