Survey of Romanian slaughtered pigs for the occurrence of mycotoxins ochratoxins A and B, and zearalenone.
Blood serum, kidney, liver and muscle sample per animal were collected from slaughtered pigs (n = 52). The samples were analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA) and B (OTB) by HPLC methods. Zearalenone (ZEA) in serum was analysed by enzyme immunoassay. A total of 98% serum samples were OTA positive in the range of 0.05-13.4 ng/ml and 85% contained under 5 ng OTA/ml. The incidences of OTA in kidney and liver were very similar (79%, 75%) with mean levels of 0.54 ng/g and 0.16 ng/g, respectively. The lowest incidence (17%) and the lowest mean level contamination (0.15 ng/g) were in muscle samples. The mean distribution in tissues followed the pattern serum > kidney > liver > muscle (100%; 0.26%; 8.5%; 2.57%). No kidney, liver or muscle sample was found OTA positive above the maximum admitted limit in Romania (5 ng/g). No sample was found to be positive for OTB. A very similar OTA contamination (mean = 4.19 ng/ml, coefficient of variation = 34.4%) was observed in the serum samples (n = 10) collected from the same farm. A possible difference in regional distribution of OTA in Romania is suggested. Zearalenone was detected only in 17.3% of the serum samples with a maximum concentration of 0.96 ng/ml. This study shows the presence of OTA and ZEA in Romanian slaughtered pigs at levels comparable to those reported in other countries.
Curtui
V G
VG
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of the Banat, Timisoara, Romania. vcurtui@yahoo.com
Gareis
M
M
Usleber
E
E
Märtlbauer
E
E
D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008461:Meat Products / Q000032:analysis*; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D012383:Romania; D013552:Swine; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000032:analysis*
D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A; D015025:Zearalenone; C045354:ochratoxin B