The use of high‐performance liquid chromatography to detect ochratoxin A in dried figs from the Spanish market

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Detection and quantification of ochratoxin A (OTA) in dried fig samples purchased in Spain has been carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after extraction with methanol and sodium bicarbonate, and clean-up by using an immunoaffinity column. RESULTS: The detection limit of the method was 0.06 ng/g, and the limit of quantification 0.18 ng/g. OTA was detected in 31 (88.6%) out of 35 samples of dried figs analysed, with concentrations that ranged from < 0.1 to 277 ng/g. However, only three samples contained OTA concentrations above the tolerable level set by European Commission regulations for dried vine fruits (10 ng/g). CONCLUSION: The results of this survey show the value of monitoring OTA in dried figs especially if they are home grown.