An immunoaffinity column/HPLC procedure was developed to quantify low
levels of ochratoxin A
(OTA) in green coffee beans, roasted coffee beans, and soluble
(instant) coffee with greater than
80% recoveries. The method was used to survey 116 soluble coffee
samples from various countries
and different manufacturers and showed contamination levels ranging
from “not detectable” to 15.9
μg/kg. The highest levels of OTA were detected among soluble
coffees that had been adulterated
with coffee husks and/or coffee parchments (mean contamination level:
5.9 μg/kg). By comparison,
OTA concentrations in pure soluble coffee samples were significantly
lower, with a mean
contamination level of 1.1 μg/kg. Although higher than normal
figures have been found in some
products purchased in East European countries, the results of this
survey indicate that pure soluble
coffee is not a major source of OTA in the diet, with estimated intakes
being well within safety
limits.
Keywords: Ochratoxin A; soluble coffee; analysis; HPLC;
adulteration
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