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Ochratoxin A in human blood serum – retrospective long-term data

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Abstract

In a long-term study (1990–1997) on ochratoxin A (OTA) in human blood serum, 102 serum samples from 36 persons of the Munich Institute for Hygiene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin were analysed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for control. Detection limits were at 50 pg/ml (EIA) and 50–70 pg/ml (HPLC), recoveries were 80–120% (EIA) and 30–60% (LC). OTA was detected in 98% (EIA, 368 ± 217 pg/ml) and 93% (HPLC, 271 ± 170 pg/ml) of samples (maximum 1,290 pg/ml). Using published conversion factors for serum/intake estimates (1.34 or 1.97), the mean daily OTA intake of these 36 persons was 493–725 pg/kg bw. Long-term individual mean OTA levels of nine persons ranged from 162 ± 80 pg/ml to 549 ± 172 pg/ml. Our data were compared with published OTA serum levels (1985–2008) for apparently healthy persons from a total of 30 countries. On a worldwide basis, the mean of means for OTA in human serum was estimated to be 700 pg/ml, corresponding to a mean daily OTA intake of 940–1380 pg/kg bw. This level, which was relatively stable over the last decades, is well below published tolerable daily intake values (14,000–18,000 pg/kg bw).

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Acknowledgement

We thank all volunteers who participated in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Hygiene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Schönleutner Strasse 8, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany

    Erwin Märtlbauer & Richard Dietrich

  2. Dairy Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, Justus Liebig University, Ludwigstrasse 21, 35390, Giessen, Germany

    Ewald Usleber & Elisabeth Schneider

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  2. Ewald Usleber
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  3. Richard Dietrich
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  4. Elisabeth Schneider
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Correspondence to Elisabeth Schneider.

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Märtlbauer, E., Usleber, E., Dietrich, R. et al. Ochratoxin A in human blood serum – retrospective long-term data. Mycotox Res 25, 175–186 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-009-0025-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-009-0025-z

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