Ochratoxins in Feed, a Risk for Animal and Human Health: Control Strategies

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been shown to be a potent nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and teratogenic compound. In farm animals, the intake of feed contaminated with OTA affects animal health and productivity, and may result in the presence of OTA in the animal products. Strategies for the control of OTA in food products require early identification and elimination of contaminated commodities from the food chain. However, current analytical protocols may fail to identify contaminated products, especially in animal feed. The present paper discusses the impact of OTA on human and animal health, with special emphasis on the potential risks of OTA residue in animal products, and control strategies applied in the feed industry.

Influence of different coffee drink preparations on ochratoxin A content and evaluation of the antioxidant activity and caffeine variations

“…The main food carriers for OTA are considered beer, cereals, coffee, spices, dried fruits, cocoa, beer, and pork meat (Petzinger & Weidenbach;2002;Rizzo, Eskola, & Atroshi, 2002). OTA is considered a nephrotoxic, hepatoxic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive compound (Denli & Perez, 2010;Reddy & Bhoola, 2010). Coffee beans can be contaminated by OTA both for climatic and not suitable storage and transportation conditions.…”

Immobilization of mycotoxins on modified nanodiamond substrates

“…16 Consequently, OTA is found in crops worldwide, though it is most common in Northern Africa, North America and Europe. 17,18 In fact, evidence of OTA in Europeans' blood and breast milk was found to be widespread, 19,20 with exposure primarily gained though ingestion of grains (58% of the intake), wine (21%), grape juice (7%), coffee (5%) and pork (3%). 21 Unlike AfB1, OTA accumulates in tissue and has been associated with mutagenic, nephrotoxic, nephrocarcinogenic, teratogenic 22 and immunosuppressive properties that may lead to the development of certain diseases, such as balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), urinary tract tumors and possibly testicular cancer.…”

Semi-automated solid-phase extraction method for studying the biodegradation of ochratoxin A by human intestinal microbiota

“…It has received particular attention due to its nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects (it is considered as a possible carcinogen for humans (group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer) [3]. It is of health concern due to its widespread occurrence in food and feed chain [4]; thus, assessing the fate of this contaminant during digestion is of prime importance. Surprisingly, even though it is now well established that OTA is efficiently degraded in the rumen (with major role of protozoa as well as bacteria as recently reported) [5][6][7], little is known about its fate during human digestion.…”