Ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 in breakfast cereals marketed in Serbia – occurrence and health risk characterisation

ABSTRACT

The present paper reports data on the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in breakfast cereals marketed in Serbia and interprets consequent dietary exposure. A total of 136 samples was collected in 2012 and 2015 and analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. OTA was detected in 20.7% of the samples in 2012 and 13.0% in 2015, with 3.6% and 0% of the samples above the EU maximum level, respectively. AFB1 was found in low concentrations in 11.1% of the samples collected in 2015, mainly corn based. Comparison of estimated exposure of Serbian adult population with respective toxicological reference values showed no concern for public health.

KEYWORDS:

• Ochratoxin A
• aflatoxins
• cereals

Acknowledgement

“OCHRA NS” project was financed by the Authority for Environmental Protection of the City of Novi Sad, Province of Vojvodina, Serbia (Grant No. VI-501-2/2012-58).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

“OCHRA NS” project was financed by the Authority for Environmental Protection of the City of Novi Sad, Province of Vojvodina, Serbia [grant number: VI-501-2/2012-58].