Aflatoxin and ochratoxin A content of spices in Hungary

Abstract

In October and November 2004, 91 spice samples (70 ground red pepper, six black pepper, five white pepper, five spice mix and five chilli samples), the majority of which originated from commercial outlets, were analysed for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) content by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after immunoaffinity column clean-up. Eighteen of the 70 ground red pepper samples contained AFB1, seven of them in a concentration exceeding the 'maximum level' of 5 microg kg(-1) (range 6.1-15.7 microg kg(-1)). Of the other spices assayed, the AFB1 contamination of one chilli sample exceeded 5 microg kg(-1) (8.1 microg kg(-1)). Thirty-two of the 70 ground red pepper samples contained OTA, eight of them in a concentration exceeding the 10 microg kg(-1) 'maximum level' (range 10.6-66.2 microg kg(-1)). One chilli sample was contaminated with OTA at 2.1 microg kg(-1). The AFB1 and OTA contamination of ground red pepper exceeding the 'maximum level' (5 and 10 microg kg(-1), respectively) was obviously the consequence of mixing imported ground red pepper batches heavily contaminated with AFB1 and OTA with red pepper produced in Hungary. This case calls attention to the importance of consistently screening imported batches of ground red pepper for aflatoxin and ochratoxin A content and strictly prohibiting the use of batches containing mycotoxin concentrations exceeding the maximum permitted level.

Determinação de aflatoxina B1 em pimenta (Piper nigrum L.) e orégano (Origanum vulgare L.) por cromatografia em camada delgada e densitometria

“…Apesar de inúmeros trabalhos descritos na literatura relacionarem a ocorrência de aflatoxinas em diferentes tipos de alimentos, poucos descrevem sua presença em condimentos. 2,3,5,[9][10][11][12][13][14] Tradicionalmente, métodos analíticos para a determinação de aflatoxinas empregam extração das toxinas com solventes orgâni-cos, coluna de imunoafinidade, partição líquido-líquido ou coluna de fase sólida para a remoção de compostos interferentes e quantificação por cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD) ou cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). 4,[15][16][17][18][19] O monitoramento de aflatoxinas requer método simples, rápi-do, exato, preciso e sensível.…”

Mycotoxins in botanicals and dried fruits: A review

“…In Hungary, 91 spice samples (70 ground red pepper, six black pepper, five white pepper, five spice mix and five chilli samples) were analysed for aflatoxins and OTA by IAC/LC (Fazekas et al 2005). Eighteen of the 70 ground red pepper samples contained AFB 1 , and concentrations in seven of these ranged from 6.1 to 15.7 mg kg À1 .…”

Aflatoxin Contamination of Spices Sold Collected from Local Market in Tripoli

“…The climatic conditions prevailing in the tropics are especially favorable for mold contamination and mycotoxin production. Of the different mycotoxins, aflatoxin is the commonest contaminant in spices (Fazekas et al, 2005).…”

“…Of the different mycotoxins, aflatoxin is the commonest contaminant in spices (Fazekas et al, 2005). Peppers are very susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, which is affected by atmospheric temperature, humidity, insects, and drying and processing conditions.…”