The prevalence of ochratoxin A in dried grapes and grape-derived products: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Ochratoxin is a potent human toxin and suspected carcinogen metabolite generated by Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. The current systematic meta-analysis review was conducted for the first time on the prevalence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in dried grapes and grape-derived products including sultana, currant, raisin, pekmez, and grape juice.

Methods

All studies published up to December 2019 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The references of published papers were collected in order to investigate the prevalence of OTA in dried grapes and grape-derived products. The degree of heterogeneity between the studies was evaluated by the I² heterogeneity statistic. The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence in subgroups such as country and type of grape products.

Results

The search retrieved 725 studies, 39 of which were included in this meta-analysis. According to reviewed reports, the global pooled prevalence of OTA was estimated as 42% (95% CI: 32%, 52%) for currants, 36% (95% CI: 20%, 52%) for grape juice, 39% (95% CI: 28%, 50%) for pekmez, 58% (95% CI: 48%, 68%) for raisins, and 27% (95% CI: 22%, 33%) for sultana. The rank of grape-based products based on mean concentration of OAT was in order of pekmez > raisin > sultana > currant > grape juice.

Conclusion

The lowest and highest prevalence of OTA in different studied samples were related to grape juice and pekmez, respectively. The results of this meta-analysis can be useful in different risks management models, and can help health strategists and different industries to reduce the prevalence of OTA in grape-based products.

Keywords:

• Ochratoxin A
• grape
• systematic review
• meta-analysis
• prevalence
• concentration

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of Interest.