The use of high-performance liquid chromatography to detect ochratoxin A in dried figs from the Spanish market : The use of high-performance liquid chromatography to detect ochratoxin

Detection and quantification of ochratoxin A (OTA) in dried fig samples purchased in Spain has been carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after extraction with methanol and sodium bicarbonate, and clean-up by using an immunoaffinity column. The detection limit of the method was 0.06 ng g(-1), and the limit of quantification 0.18 ng g(-1) .

OTA was detected in 31 (88.6%) out of 35 samples of dried figs analysed, with concentrations that ranged from < 0.1 to 277 ng g(-1). However, only three samples contained OTA concentrations above the tolerable level set by European Commission regulations for dried vine fruits (10 ng g(-1)). The results of this survey show the value of monitoring OTA in dried figs especially if they are home grown.