Survey of dry pasta for ochratoxin A in Canada.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) was determined in 274 samples of dry pasta sold across Canada in 2004 to 2006. Ground sample was extracted with acetonitrile-water (6:4 [vol/vol]), filtered, diluted with phosphate-buffered saline, and cleaned with an immunoaffinity column. Analysis was by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and in the second year by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry as well. For 2004 and 2005, the limit of quantitation was approximately 0.5 ng of OTA per g (signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1). In 2006, the limit of quantitation was estimated to be 0.2 ng of OTA per g. Incidence of contamination above 0.5 ng of OTA per g was 21, 18, and 66% in the years 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively, reflecting the contamination variability of durum wheat crops and showing the importance of multiyear surveillance. Mean levels of OTA found in these 3 years were, respectively, 0.30, 0.28, and 0.76 ng/g, and maximum levels were, respectively, 1.8, 1.4, and 3.3 ng/g.
Health Canada, Health Products and Foods, Food Laboratory Division, 2301 Midland Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. winnie_ng@hc-sc.gc.ca
Winnie
W
Ng
Mohan
M
Mankotia
Peter
P
Pantazopoulos
Robert J
RJ
Neil
Peter M
PM
Scott
Ben P-Y
BP
Lau
D002170:Canada; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry*; D005504:Food Analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000737:chemistry*
D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A