Presence of ochratoxin A on the surface of dry-cured Iberian ham after initial fungal growth in the drying stage.
Accumulation of ochratoxin A (OTA) on the surface and to a 0.5 cm depth of dry-cured Iberian ham after initial fungal growth was investigated. For this, 20 dry-cured Iberian hams from the drying stage showing incipient fungal growth on the surface were analyzed. In addition, the presence of OTA-producing molds was examined on the surface of the hams by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) based on the otanpsPN gene. Quantification of specific OTA-producing molds, such as Penicillium nordicum and Penicillium verrucosum was also achieved on the hams by specific qPCR methods. Ten of 20 dry-cured hams showed OTA at higher levels than those established by legal regulation. OTA was even detected in the deep section of hams. OTA-producing molds ranged from 1.5 to 7.3 log cfu/cm². Accumulation of OTA on the hams seems to be related to the presence of OTA-producing molds and especially to P. nordicum.
Food Hygiene and Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n. 10003-Cáceres, Spain.
Alicia
A
Rodríguez
Mar
M
Rodríguez
Alberto
A
Martín
Josué
J
Delgado
Juan J
JJ
Córdoba
D000818:Animals; D017849:Animals, Inbred Strains; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D005285:Fermentation; D005506:Food Contamination; D057141:Food, Preserved / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology; D058889:Molecular Typing; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D010407:Penicillium / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013030:Spain; D013499:Surface Properties; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D009793:Ochratoxins; D014867:Water; C025589:ochratoxin A