Ochratoxins in food and feed: Occurrence and its impact on human health and management strategies

Abstract

Ochratoxins (OTs) are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. which are ubiquitous. They infect the crops during pre- and post-harvest conditions and contaminate various food and feed. Among all the OTs produced, ochratoxin A (OTA) poses serious health issues like neurotoxicity and carcinogenesis. The harmful impact of the toxins is observed in both humans and animals. The toxins get accumulated in the organs of animals through the contaminated animal-feed which further contaminate the products derived from them, such as milk and meat-based products. Therefore, sensitive and robust identification, detection, and quantification methods along with efficient management and control measures are crucial. Spectrometric and spectroscopy techniques are quite sensitive and lead to better detection of the toxin in the food products. Control and preventive measures during harvesting, storage and transportation are found to be effective in managing the production of such toxins. This review insight on the occurrence, chemistry, biosynthesis, effects on human health and agriculture, detections, management, and control strategies of ochratoxins.

Keywords: Aspergillus spp.; Detection; Food contamination; Health; Management and control strategies; Ochratoxins.