Occurrence of ochratoxin A in domestic beers and wines from Tunisia by immunoaffinity clean-up and liquid chromatography

Abstract

A survey on the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wines and beers produced in Tunisia was carried out. Wines and beers were analysed using immunoaffinity column clean-up and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a fluorometric detector. OTA was detected in 29 wine samples, with an incidence of contamination of 85%. The OTA levels ranged between 0.09 and 1.5 µg/L. Neither of the studied samples showed levels above the European regulatory limit (2 µg/L). OTA was detected in 17 beer samples with an incidence of contamination of 45%. The OTA levels ranged between 0.04 and 0.35 µg/L. The OTA dietary intake by the consumption of wine and beer may be considered as negligible. The obtained results showed high incidence of OTA in Tunisian wines and beers; however, there are no toxicological risks for Tunisian consumers through their consumption of such processed products using cereals and grapes.

Keywords:

• mycotoxins
• ochratoxin A
• beer
• wine

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology for its financial support under the framework of the National Research program “Qualite du raisin et ochratoxine A en Tunisie.” The authors also thank the Union Centrale des Cooperatives Viticoles (UCCV) for its cooperation and assistance.

Notes

Both authors contributed equally to this work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. Oueslati

Both authors contributed equally to this work.