Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of ochratoxin A in foods: state-of-the-art and analytical challenges

  • Review
  • Published:
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA) can occur in a large variety of commodities (cereals, beans, groundnuts, spices, dried fruits, coffee, beer, wine) and, because of a carry-over effect, in milk, pig blood, liver, and kidney, and poultry meat from animals fed with contaminated feed. Because of the persistence of OTA in the food chain, exposure to the compound is a potential human health hazard. This has prompted adoption of regulatory limits in several countries which, in turn, implies the development of suitable validated and official analytical methods and rapid screening tests for cost-effective food control on a large scale. Liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC–FLD), coupled with immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up, is the most widely employed analytical technique. LC coupled with electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (MS) has detection limits comparable with those of LC–FLD and the selectivity of IAC can be achieved by tandem (MS–MS) or sequential (MSn) detection. Synthetic counterparts to natural antibodies in the form of molecularly imprinted polymers seem a promising alternative to IAC for sample preparation. New analytical approaches to rapid, low-cost screening methods, for example those based on biosensors and dip-stick-like kits, are a direction in which innovation can be expected. Analytical methods for evaluation of the occurrence of OTA in foods, human exposure, and risk assessment are critically reviewed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shotwell OL, Hesseltine CW, Goulden ML (1969) Appl Microb 17:765–766

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Kuiper-Goodman T, Scott PM (1989) Biom Environ Sci 2:179–243

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. WHO (1991) Thirty-seventh report of the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, Geneva

  4. Valenta H (1998) J Chromatogr A 815:75–92

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Xiao H, Madhyastha S, Marquardt RR, Li S, Vodela JK, Frohlich A (1996) Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 137:187–192

    Google Scholar 

  6. Karlovsky P (1999) Nat Toxins 7:1–9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Il’ichev YV, Perry JL, Ruker F, Dockal M, Simon JD (2002) Chem Biol Interact 141:275–283

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Il’ichev YV, Perry JL, Simon JD (2002) J Phys Chem B 106:452–459

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Fink-Gremmels J, Jahn A, Blom MJ (1995) Nat Toxins 3:214–220

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Obrecht-Pflumio S, Dirheimer G (2000) Chem Biol Interact 127:29–44

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Muller G, Rosner H, Rohrmann B, Erler W, Geschwend G, Grafe U, Burkert B, Moller U, Diller R, Sachse K, Kohler H (2003) Toxicology 184:69–82

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Petzinger E, Ziegler K (2000) J Vet Pharmacol Ther 23:91–98

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Ehrlich V, Darroudi F, Uhl M, Steinkellner H, Gann M, Majer BJ, Eisenbauer M, Knasmuller S (2002) Food Chem Toxicol 40:1085–1090

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Lebrun S, Follmann W (2002) Arch Toxicol 75:734–741

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Pfohl-Leszkowicz A, Petkova-Bocharova T, Chernozemsky IN, Castegnaro M (2002) Food Addit Contam 19:282–302

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tatu CA, Orem WH, Finkelman RB, Feder GL (1998) Environ Health Perspect 106:689–700

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Stoev SD (1998) Vet Hum Toxicol 40:352–360

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Schwartz GG (2002) Cancer Causes Control 13:91–100

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Blank R, Hohler D, Wolffram S (1999) Uebers Tierernaehr 27:123–163

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ramos AJ, Labernia N, Marin S, Sanchis V, Magan N (1998) Int J Food Microbiol 44:133–140

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Visconti A, Pascale M, Centonze G (1999) J Chromatogr A 864:89–101

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Richard JL, Plattner RD, Mary J, Liska SL (1999) Mycopathologia 146:99–103

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ochratoxin A (WHO Food Additive Series 47, 2001http://www.inchem.org/pages/jecfa.html) Assessment of dietary intake of Ochratoxin A by the population of EU member states (SCOOP task 3.2.7 http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/scoop/index_en.html)

  24. Radic B, Fuchs R, Peraica M, Lucic A (1997) Toxicol Lett 91:105–109

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Solti L, Salamon F, Barna-Vetro I, Gyongyosi A, Szabo E, Wolfling A (1997) J Anal Toxicol 21:44–48

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Peraica M, Domijan AM, Fuchs R, Lucic A, Radic B (1999) Toxicol Lett 110:105–112

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Peraica M, Domijan AM, Matasin M, Lucic A, Radic B, Delas F, Horvat M, Bosanac I, Balija M, Grgicevic D (2001) Arch Toxicol 75:410–414

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Scott PM, Kanhere SR, Lau BP, Lewis DA, Hayward S, Ryan JJ, Kuiper-Goodman T (1998) Food Addit Contam 15:555–562

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Ueno Y, Maki S, Lin J, Furuya M, Sugiura Y, Kawamura O (1998) Food Chem Toxicol 36:445–449

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Palli D, Miraglia M, Saieva C, Masala G, Cava E, Colatosti M, Corsi AM, Russo A, Brera C (1999) Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 8:265–269

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Thuvander A, Paulsen JE, Axberg K, Johansson N, Vidnes A, Enghardt-Barbieri H, Trygg K, Lund-Larsen K, Jahrl S, Widenfalk A, Bosnes V, Alexander J, Hult K, Olsen M (2001) Food Chem Toxicol 39:1145–1151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Filali A, Betbeder AM, Baudrimont I, Benayad A, Soulaymani R, Creppy EE (2002) Hum Exp Toxicol 21:241–245

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Skaug MA, Stormer FC, Saugstad OD (1998) Acta Paediatr 87:1275–1278

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Skaug MA, Helland I, Solvoll K, Saugstad OD (2001) Food Addit Contam 18:321–327

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Micco C, Miraglia M, Brera C, Corneli S, Ambruzzi A (1995) Food Addit Contam 12:351–354

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Miraglia M, de Dominicis A, Brera C, Corneli S, Cava E, Menghetti E, Miraglia E (1995) Nat Toxins 3:436–444

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Wolff J, Bresch H, Cholmakov-Bodechtel C, Engel G, Garais M, Majerus P, Rosner H, Scheuer R (2000) Arch Lebensmittelhyg 51:81–128

    Google Scholar 

  38. Ozpinar H, Augonyte G, Drochner W (1999) Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 7:1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Krogh P, Elling F, Hald B, Larsen AE, Lillehoj EB, Madsen A, Mortensen HP (1976) Toxicology 6:235–242

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Galtier P, Alvinerie M, Charpenteau J (1981) Food Cosmetics Toxicol 19:735–738

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Ruprich J, Ostry V (1991) Abstract of the Meeting on Mycotoxins, Nephropathy and Urinary Tract Tumours, 6–8 June, Lyon, France, pp 43–45

  42. Scott PM, Trucksess MW (1997) JAOAC Int 80:941–949

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Scudamore KA, MacDonald SJ (1998) Food Addit Contam 15:401–410

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Shephard GS, Fabiani A, Stockenstroem S, Mshicileli N, Sewram V (2003) J Agric Food Chem 51:1102–1106

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Curtui VG, Gareis M, Usleber E, Martlbauer E (2001) Food Addit Contam 18:730–738

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Jorgensen K, Petersen A (2002) Food Addit Contam 19:562–567

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Chiavaro E, Lepiani A, Colla F, Bettoni P, Pari E, Spotti E (2002) Food Addit Contam 18:730–738

    Google Scholar 

  48. Zimmerli B, Dick R (1995) J Chromatogr B 666:85–99

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Baggiani C, Giraudi G, Vanni A (2001) Bioseparation 10:389–394

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Jodlbauer J, Maier NM, Lindner W (2002) J Chromatogr A 945:45–63

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Lord H, Pawliszyn J (2000) J Chromatogr A 885:153–193

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Kataoka H, Lord HL, Pawliszyn J (2000) J Chromatogr A 880:35–62

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Zambonin CG, Monaci L, Aresta A (2001) Food Chem 75:249–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Zambonin CG, Monaci L, Aresta A (2002) Food Chem 78:249–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Aresta A, Cioffi N, Palmisano F, Zambonin CG (2003) J Agric Food Chem 51:5232–5237

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Monaci L, Aresta A, Palmisano F, Visconti A, Zambonin CG (2002) J Chromatogr. A 955:79–86

    Google Scholar 

  57. Scott PM (2002) Adv Exp Med Biol 504:117–134

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Nesheim S, Hardin NF, Francis OJ, Langham WS (1973) JAOAC 56:817–821

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Paulsch WE, Van Egmond HP, Schuller PL (1982) Proc 5th Int IUPAC Symp, Vienna pp 40–43

  60. Hult K, Hökby E, Hägglund U, Gatenbeck S, Rutqvist L, Sellyey G (1979) Appl Environ Microbiol 38:772–776

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Terada H, Tsubouchi H, Yamamoto K, Hisada K, Sakabe Y (1986) JAOAC 69:960–964

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Breitholz A, Olsen M, Dahlback A, Hult K (1991) Food Addit Contam 8:183–192

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Reinhard H, Zimmerli B (1999) J Chromatogr A 862:147–159

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Clarke JR, Marquardt RR, Frohlich AA, Pitura RJ (1994) J Food Prot 57:991–995

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Rousseau DM, Candlish AG, Slegers A, van Peteghem CH, Stimson WH (1987) Appl Environ Microbiol 53:514–518

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. van der Gaag B, Spath S, Dietrich H, Stigter E, Boonzaaijer G, van Osenbruggen T, Koopal K (2003) Food Control 14:251–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Wilkes JG, Sutherland JB (1998) J Chromatogr B 717:1351–1356

    Google Scholar 

  68. Sibanda L, De Saeger S, Barna-Vetro, Van Peteghem C (2002) J Agric Food Chem 50:6964–6967

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Sibanda L, De Saeger S, Van Peteghem C (2002) J Chromatogr A 959:327–330

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Lau BP, Scott PM, Lewis DA, Kanhere SR (2000) J Mass Spectrom 35:23–32

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Becker M, Degelmann P, Herderich M, Schreier P, Humpf HU (1998) J Chromatogr A 818:260–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Jorgensen K, Vahl M (1999) Food Add Contam 16:451–456

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Corneli S, Maragos CM (1998) J Agric Food Chem 46:3162–3165

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Gilbert J, Anklam E (2002) Trends Anal Chem 21:468–486

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Nesheim S, Stack ME, Truksess MW, Eppley RM (1992) JAOAC Int 75:481–487

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Directive 10/99—Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana n.135—11/06/1999

  77. Entwisle AC, Jorgensen K, Williams AC, Boenke A, Farnell PJ (1997) Food Addit Contam 14:223–236

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Wood GM, Patel S, Entwisle AC, Williams AC, Boenke A, Farnell PJ (1997) Food Addit Contam 14:237–248

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Burdaspal P, Legarda TM, Gilbert J, Anklam E, Apergi E, Barreto M, Brera C, Carvalho E, Chan D, Felgueiras I, Hald B, Jorgensen K, Langseth W, MacDonald S, Nuotio K, Patel S, Schuster M, Solfrizzo M, Stefanaki I, Stroka J, Torgersen T (2001) JAOAC Int 84:1445

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Larsson K, Moller T (1996) JAOAC Int 79:1102–1105

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Entwisle AC, Williams AC, Mann PJ, Slack PT, Gilbert J (2000) JAOAC Int 83:1377–1383

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Visconti A, Pascale M, Centonze G, Anklam E, Betbeder AM, Brereton P, Burns G, Cagnina A, Chiappetta G, Creppy EE, Di Stefano R, Eklund E, Hald B, Herve I, Kakouri E, Larcher R, Majerus P, Medina B, Melotti F, Moller T, Moruno EG, Nuotio K, Pavanello F, Pietri A, Tricard C, an den Top HJ, Versini G, Werner J Wilson P (2001) JAOAC Int 84:1818–1827

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Entwisle AC, Williams AC, Mann PJ, Russell J, Slack PT, Gilbert J, Burdaspal P, Eklund E, Gardikis J, Hald B, Herry MP, Jorgensen K, Kandler H, Patel S, Pittet A, Schuster M, Solfrizzo M, Strassmeier E, Tiebach R, Torgensen T, Van der Stegen A (2001) JAOAC Int 84:444–450

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Jorgensen K (1998) Food Addit Contam5:550–554

    Google Scholar 

  85. Dragacci S, Grosso F, Bire F, Fremy JM, Coulon S (1999) Nat Toxins 7:167–173

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Gareis M, Scheuer R (2000) Arch Lebensmittelhyg 51:102–104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Hauck S, Kosslinger C, Drost S, Wolf H (1998) In: White NM (ed) Eurosensors XII, Proc 12th Eur Conf on Solid-State Transducers and the 9th UK Conference on Sensors and their Applications, Southampton, UK, Sept. 13–16, 1998, vol 1. Institute of Physics Publishing, Bristol, UK, pp 515–518

  88. Leitner A, Zollner P, Paolillo A, Stroka J, Papadopoulou-Bouraoui A, Jaborek S, Anklam E, Lindner W (2002) Anal Chim Acta 453:33–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Zollner P, Leitner A, Lubda D, Cabrera K, Lindner W (2000) Chromatographia 52:818–820

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Degelmann P, Becker M, Herderich M, Humpf HU (1999) Chromatographia 49:543–546

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Anklam E, Stroka J, Boenke A (2002) Food Control 13:173–183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. De Saeger S, Sibanda L, Desmet A, Van Peteghem C (2002) Int J Food Microbiol 75:135–142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Tangni EK, Ponchaut S, Maudoux M, Rozenberg R, Larondelle Y. (2002) Food Addit Contam 19:1169–117

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Visconti A, Pascale M, Centonze G (2000) J Chromatogr A 888:321–326

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Eder R, Paar E, Edinger W, Lew H (2002) Mitteilungen Klosterneuburg 52:125–131

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Markaki P, Delpont-Binet C, Grosso F, Dragacci S (2001) J Food Prot 64:533–537

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Santos EA, Vargas EA (2002) Food Addit Contam 19:447–458

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Abouzied MM, Horvath AD, Podlesny PM, Regina NP, Metodiev VD, Kamenova-Tozeva RM, Niagolova ND, Stein AD, Petropoulos EA, Ganev VS (2002) Food Addit Contam 19:755–764

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Legarda TM, Burdaspal PA (2001) Alimentaria 321:89–96

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Jimenez AM, De Cerain AL, Gonzalez-Penas E, Bello J (2001) Food Addit Contam 18:559–563

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Barna-Vetro I, Solti L, Teren J, Gyongyosi A, Szabo E, Wolfling A (1996) J Agric Food Chem 44:4071–4074

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Solfrizzo M, Avantaggiato G, Visconti, A (1998) J Chromatogr A 815:67–73

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari, Via Orabona, 4-70126, Bari, Italy

    Linda Monaci & Francesco Palmisano

Authors
  1. Linda Monaci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francesco Palmisano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francesco Palmisano.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Monaci, L., Palmisano, F. Determination of ochratoxin A in foods: state-of-the-art and analytical challenges. Anal Bioanal Chem 378, 96–103 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-003-2364-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-003-2364-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation