Ochratoxins: A global perspective

Abstract

Ochratoxins have been overshadowed by better-known mycotoxins, but they are gaining importance. Here we consider ochratoxins in the context of aflatoxins, which are better understood than ochratoxins on many levels. We review recent work on taxonomic distribution, contamination of commodities, biosynthesis, toxicity and regulatory aspects of ochratoxins. We focus on ochratoxins in coffee, since coffee is becoming a key commodity in ochratoxin research and regulation.

Determination of Aflatoxin M1 and Ochratoxin A in Milk and Dairy Products in Supermarkets Located in Mansoura City, Egypt

“…Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) may be found in the milk of animals that are fed on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) containing feed (Van Egmond, 1991). Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by different species of Aspergillus (A. ochraceus, A. melleus, A. sulphureus, A. Niger, A. carbonarius, A. awamori) and Penicillium (P. verrucosum, P. crysogenum and P. nordicum) (Bayman and Baker, 2006;Magan, 2006;Zheng et al, 2005). Ochratoxin A has hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and teratogenic effects (Boudra and Morgavi, 2006).…”

Mycotoxin Contamination of Beverages: Occurrence of Patulin in Apple Juice and Ochratoxin A in Coffee, Beer and Wine and Their Control Methods

“…The total world coffee consumption is estimated to be over 6 million tonnes per annum, with Europe being the largest market, followed by the U.S., and Japan in third position. [88][89][90][91]. However, A. ochraceus is believed to be the major source of OTA in green coffee [92].…”

Prevention of ochratoxin A contamination of foodand ochratoxin A detoxification by microorganisms - a review

“…More Aspergillus species have been found to produce OTA, for example, A. melleus, A. sulphureus, A. alliaceus, A. sclerotiorum (Malíř et al 2003;Bayman & Baker 2006;Palumbo et al 20076), A. albertensis, A. lanosus (Bayman & Baker 2006;Palumbo et al 2007), A. glaucus, A. ostianus, and A. petrakii (Malíř et al 2003;Bayman & Baker 2006). In Penicillium, OTA has also been detected, for example, in P. nordicum (Larsen et al 2001;Bayman & Baker 2006), P. chrysogenum (Malíř et al 2003;Bayman & Baker 2006).…”

“…OTA has been detected, for example, in cereal grains, grapes, wine, grape juice, dried vine fruits, coffee, legumes, beer, nuts, cocoa, spices (Bayman & Baker 2006;Clark & Snedeker 2006). The occurrence of OTA in meat products is due to its transmission into tissues of animals fed with contaminated feed (Guillamont et al 2005).…”

“…In 2006, the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain of the European Food Safety Authority stated that the epidemiological data on human carcinogenicity are incomplete and did not justify OTA classification as a human renal carcinogen (Cavin et al 2007). OTA has also been reported to be immunosupressive and teratogenic in animals (Bayman & Baker 2006;Bejaoui et al 2006).…”