The aim of the present study was the evaluation of dietary exposure to ochratoxin A from different foods and beverages collected in the years 2015–2023 and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection. The method was validated according to the performance criteria of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2782/2023. Ochratoxin A was detected in 58 (14.3%) out of 406 samples, of which coffee (8.1%), spices (2.2%), meat products (2%), and wine (1.7%) were the most often contaminated categories, with concentrations of up to 17 and 10 μg/kg in chili and spices, respectively. All positive samples resulted compliant with the maximum levels established in Commission Regulation (EU) 915/2023. The estimated daily intake was calculated multiplying mean ochratoxin A concentrations with food consumption data (average and 95th percentile consumers) related to different age groups, while maximum ochratoxin A levels were used to simulate the worst-case scenario. The margin of exposure approach recently proposed for the characterization of both nonneoplastic and neoplastic effects of ochratoxin A was also applied. It encouraged an extensive risk assessment considering not only mycotoxin concentrations, but also all individual factors influencing the dietary exposure to ochratoxin A. The margin of exposure for neoplastic effects calculated from mean ochratoxin A concentrations in meat products was higher than the reference value of 10,000 in all age groups investigated as average and heavy consumers (95th percentile), indicating a low health risk, while it was found to be lower (high risk) if maximum ochratoxin A levels were considered. The same outcome was observed for the margin of exposure for non-neoplastic effects, except for infants in the worst-case scenario, where it resulted lower than the reference value of 200 (high risk). As regards the other food categories (coffee and wine) for which the margin of exposure was evaluated, it was always higher than the reference values for both non-neoplastic and neoplastic effects in the case of mean ochratoxin A concentrations, while a health risk concern for neoplastic effects was detected in the worst-case scenario, except for teenagers due to the lower wine consumption compared to adults and elderly.
Ochratoxin A in Foods and Beverages: Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment
Annunziata, Loredana;Aloia, Rosaria;Visciano, Pierina
2024-01-01
Abstract
The aim of the present study was the evaluation of dietary exposure to ochratoxin A from different foods and beverages collected in the years 2015–2023 and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection. The method was validated according to the performance criteria of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2782/2023. Ochratoxin A was detected in 58 (14.3%) out of 406 samples, of which coffee (8.1%), spices (2.2%), meat products (2%), and wine (1.7%) were the most often contaminated categories, with concentrations of up to 17 and 10 μg/kg in chili and spices, respectively. All positive samples resulted compliant with the maximum levels established in Commission Regulation (EU) 915/2023. The estimated daily intake was calculated multiplying mean ochratoxin A concentrations with food consumption data (average and 95th percentile consumers) related to different age groups, while maximum ochratoxin A levels were used to simulate the worst-case scenario. The margin of exposure approach recently proposed for the characterization of both nonneoplastic and neoplastic effects of ochratoxin A was also applied. It encouraged an extensive risk assessment considering not only mycotoxin concentrations, but also all individual factors influencing the dietary exposure to ochratoxin A. The margin of exposure for neoplastic effects calculated from mean ochratoxin A concentrations in meat products was higher than the reference value of 10,000 in all age groups investigated as average and heavy consumers (95th percentile), indicating a low health risk, while it was found to be lower (high risk) if maximum ochratoxin A levels were considered. The same outcome was observed for the margin of exposure for non-neoplastic effects, except for infants in the worst-case scenario, where it resulted lower than the reference value of 200 (high risk). As regards the other food categories (coffee and wine) for which the margin of exposure was evaluated, it was always higher than the reference values for both non-neoplastic and neoplastic effects in the case of mean ochratoxin A concentrations, while a health risk concern for neoplastic effects was detected in the worst-case scenario, except for teenagers due to the lower wine consumption compared to adults and elderly.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
