![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Abstract
Ochratoxin A is a highly nephrotoxic mycotoxin commonly associated with cereals and cereal products. Residues of the toxin are also frequently found in animal tissues, e.g. pig kidney, when animals are fed with contaminated feed. The analysis of foodstuffs for ochratoxin A has been simplified by the introduction of immunoaffinity methods such as the Biocode ochratoxin EASI EXTRACT column. These columns contain monoclonal antibodies raised against ochratoxin A and allow purification and concentration of the toxin from a foodstuff. Analysis involves a solvent extraction stage prior to application to the ochratoxin EASI EXTRACT column, with detection of the toxin by high‐pressure liquid chromatogra‐phy. Several solvent extraction systems have been evaluated for both wheat and kidney. Percentage recoveries from spiked material ranged between approximately 35 and 80% for kidney samples and between approximately 65 and 80% for wheat samples depending on the extraction solvent used. Immunoaffinity analysis for ochratoxin A appears to be the method of choice for accurate quantification.