Survey of aflatoxins in beer sold in Canada

Abstract

Between March 1998 and March 2002, 304 samples of domestic (Canadian) and imported beers from 36 countries were picked up for the determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2. Twelve samples were positive with aflatoxins greater than the limit of quantitation (LOQ) (aflatoxin B1, 4.4 ng l(-1); aflatoxin B2, 3.4 ng l(-1); aflatoxin G1, 11.2 ng l(-1); and aflatoxin G2, 6.2 ng l(-1)). Five samples from Mexico, two samples from Spain and one from Portugal contained aflatoxin B1. Four samples from India contained aflatoxins B1 and B2. The remaining samples contained less than the LOQ for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2. The analytical method for this survey was based on that of Scott and Lawrence (Scott PM, Lawrence GA. 1997. Determination of aflatoxins in beer. Journal of AOAC International 80:1229-1234.). Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were determined at parts per trillion (ng l(-1)) levels in beer by immunoaffinity column cleanup followed by derivatization with trifluoroacetic acid and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

Carcinogenic compounds in alcoholic beverages: an update

“…They were found in beer samples from warm countries such as Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Kenya, India and the Philippines, where the occurrence of a contamination with aflatoxins might be expected due to the warm climate. Mably et al (2005) confirmed in a large worldwide survey that beers from warmer countries such as Mexico and India contain a higher median concentration of aflatoxin B1. The highest incidence and concentrations (up to 0.23 µg/L) of aflatoxin B1 were detected in beer from India.…”

Mycotoxin occurrence in beer produced in several European countries

“…Regarding AFs, surveys on different types of beer reported that aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ), the prevalent and most toxic aflatoxin, was detected in some samples (Scott & Lawrence, 1997;Nakajima et al, 1999), at levels lower than 0.09 mg l À1 . In a following survey on 304 samples of Canadian and imported beer, the toxin was found only in some samples from India (highest value 0.230 mg l À1 ), Spain, Portugal and Mexico (all lower than 0.02 mg l À1 ) (Mably et al, 2005). Regarding FBs, several surveys reported widespread concentrations of fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ), but generally lower than 100 mg l À1 (Scott & Lawrence, 1995;Kawashima, Vieira & Valente Soares, 2007;Torres, Sanchis & Ramos, 1998;Hlywka & Bullerman, 1999;Dasko, Rauova, Belajova & Kovac, 2005).…”

Monitoring of selected aflatoxins in brewing materials and beer by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

“…Cerutti, Vecchio, Finoli, & Trezzi, 1987;Fukal, Pro sek, & Rákosová, 1990;Payen, Girard, Gaillardin, & Lafont, 1983;Woller & Majerus, 1982), later, in the 1990s trace amounts were scarcely found in several samples of beers imported from south Europe. They occurred in beers coming from South America or equatorial Asian countries (Mably et al, 2005;Scott, 1996;Nakajima, Tsubouchi, & Miyabe, 1999). The presence of aflatoxins in raw materials and beers from tropical countries is common (e.g.…”