Survey of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol in stored grains from the 1999 harvest in the UK

Abstract

Three hundred and twenty samples from the 1999 UK harvest comprising wheat (201 samples), barley (106) and oats (13) were analysed for ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol. A small number of organic samples was also obtained. Samples were collected from farms, central stores, mills, maltings and ports from across the UK from February to April 2000. Ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol analysis was by affinity column clean up and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and ultraviolet light detection, respectively, with limits of detection of 0.2 and 20 microg kg(-1). The survey found ochratoxin A at below 5 microg kg(-1) in 97% of the samples indicating satisfactory storage conditions. The remaining 3% of the samples contained ochratoxin A at levels between 5.2 and 231 microg kg(-1), but none of these samples was intended for human consumption. Deoxynivalenol was detected in 88% of all samples, with 83% below 100 microg kg(-1); the maximum level was 600 microg kg(-1). Twenty samples containing deoxynivalenol at or above 150 microg kg(-1) by high-performance liquid chromatography were all confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Nivalenol was also detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at levels of 50 microg kg(-1) or higher in 18 of 20 samples where deoxynivalenol was confirmed.