title: Human ochratoxicosis in France.
abstract: The prevalence of human ochratoxicosis in France is being determined using serum and plasma collected from apparently healthy people. The analytical method is based on the partition coefficient of ochratoxin A in aqueous and organic solvents, according to pH. High-performance liquid chromatography and spectrofluorimetry are used for detection and quantification (limit of detection, greater than 0.2 ng/ml). The presence of ochrotoxin A is confirmed by the action of carboxypeptidase to yield ochratoxin alpha or by derivatization of ochratoxin A with boron trifluoride. The significance of the interim values obtained and the number of positive samples is discussed. A comparison with the distribution of known values in Germany and Scandinavia could be helpful in risk assessment with a view to prevention.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Bordeaux II, France.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Creppy
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Betbeder
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gharbi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Counord
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castegnaro
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bartsch
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moncharmont
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fouillet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chambon
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dirheimer
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005506:Food Contamination; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000097:blood*; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A