Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced as a secondary metabolite by various Aspergillus and Penicillium species with nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic and teratogenic effects. OTA has been found in several food commodities, including cereals, beer, wine and spices. OTA can also be present in animal products (especially in pig derived products) as a result of carryover from contaminated feed. Permitted level of 1 µg/kg OTA in pig meat or pig-derived products was set in Italy, as in other countries. Key parameters which affected MISPE, should be described such as extraction efficiency and were optimized, analyzed by an isocratic HPLC-FLD method. Under the optimized conditions, for all analyzed matrices mean recovery was > 89%. Method can be applied as alternative routine procedure to detect OTA presence in pig products. Points: *Aim of the study was to develop and validate a quantitative HPLC-FLD method based on MISPE with complex solid matrices (edible tissues) followed by chromatographic analysis. *The new method was developed and validated in pig complex matrix and is very sensitive LOD and LOQ respectively 0.001 and 0.003 µg/kg. *This method is relatively simple to use and with good performances. Was possible to reuse MISPE column with a "regeneration" solution, until to 7 times.