Abstract

The healthy consumers make a strong pressure to natural products that can prevent the chronic diseases and improve the general health status, and therefore an important aspect that have to be considered is the safe level of the nutraceuticals. This study reports the occurrence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) and associated fungal contamination in 35 samples of dried vine fruits imported in the European community potentially used for the development of new nutraceutical supplements. High pressure liquid chromatography analysis identified 18 samples as contaminated by OTA with an average level of 2.6 ?g/kg. OTA was measured in 4 samples of currants (mean value of 6.6 ?g/kg) and 13 samples of raisins (mean value of 1.4 ?g/kg). In one sample of currants and one of raisins from Turkey OTA exceeded the limits set by European Commission of 10 ?g/kg, being contaminated with 12.61 and 15.99 ?g/kg, respectively. All the positive samples were confirmed by Orbitrap Q Exactive through their molecular weight and the corresponding fragmentation. The worldwide consumption of dried vine fruits contributed to OTA exposure in several group of consumers. In particular, considering the potential nutraceutical approach, this consumption may be represent a severe risk for healthy consumers that consider these products like healthy and salutistic for their contents in antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Data reported in this study confirmed the need to regularly monitor mycotoxin levels in these food products and optimize the process of fruits drying in order to reduce the development of toxigenic molds.

Autore Pugliese

• Mule' Giuseppina , Logrieco Antonio Francesco , Fanelli Francesca , Cozzi Giuseppe

Tutti gli autori

• F. Fanelli; G. Cozzi; A. Rajola; I. Dini; G. Mulè; A.F. Logrieco; A. Ritieni

Titolo volume/Rivista

Journal of food science

Anno di pubblicazione

2017

ISSN

1750-3841

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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