title: Determination of seasonal variations in serum ochratoxin A levels in healthy population living in some regions of Turkey by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
abstract: This study has been undertaken to investigate the regional and seasonal variability in ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure of healthy population living in Black Sea and Mediterranean regions of Turkey by measuring serum OTA concentrations. The mean serum concentrations of OTA were determined to be 0.137 ng/mL (0.0306-0.887 ng/mL) and 0.312 ng/mL (0.028-1.496 ng/mL) in all samples for winter and summer, respectively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The differences between mean values of OTA in all serum samples collected in summer and winter were statistically significant. The highest OTA concentration was determined in the children living in Black Sea Region in summer. The mean daily intake levels of OTA in all samples were estimated as 0.182 ng/kg b.w./day and 0.408 ng/kg b.w./day in winter and summer, respectively. The results showed that the mean serum concentrations of OTA in healthy population in both regions were found not to be exceeded 1 ng/mL in agreement with the distribution reported in most European countries and that the daily intake levels of OTA were calculated below the tolerable daily intake levels given by regulatory authorities. However, overall results suggest that Turkish population living in these regions is continuously exposed to OTA and that the exposure levels are also elevated in summer period compared to winter.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erkekoğlu
authors.forename: Suna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabuncuoğlu
authors.forename: Sevtap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Gönül
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Belma
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000097:blood*; D012621:Seasons; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A