Ochratoxin A determination in ham by immunoaffinity clean-up and a quick fluorometric method.
A simple and rapid method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OA) in ham was developed using a basic methanolic extraction, immunoaffinity column clean-up and a fluorometric determination of the toxin contamination levels. A mean recovery of OA from ham samples spiked at levels from 0.7 to 9.7 microg kg(-1) was 83 +/- 6% using the fluorometric method, with a detection limit of 0.7 microg kg(-1). Recovery data were compared statistically with those obtained using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with acetonitrile-water-acetic acid (99:99:2) as mobile phase and fluorescence detection, commonly used for OA determination in food. A good correlation between the two analytical techniques was obtained. Both methods were successfully applied to 42 ham samples, 21 in the middle of the ripening period (after 6 months from the process beginning) and the other 21 at the end of the maturation, after 12 months. Twenty-seven samples (64%) showed an OA contamination level <1.0 microg kg(-1), the Italian Ministry of Health guideline. The maximum contamination level found was 2.3 microg kg(-1). A good agreement (R(2) = 0.980) between HPLC and fluorometer analysis on naturally contaminated samples was obtained.
Chiavaro
E
E
SSICA Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Tanara, 31/A, I-43100 Parma, Italy.
Lepiani
A
A
Colla
F
F
Bettoni
P
P
Pari
E
E
Spotti
E
E
D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005470:Fluorometry / Q000379:methods; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D013552:Swine
D002273:Carcinogens; D009183:Mycotoxins; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A