Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxins in Liquorice Products
Author Information
Author(s): Pietri Amedeo, Rastelli Silvia, Bertuzzi Terenzio
Primary Institution: Istituto di Scienze degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione, Facoltà di Agraria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Hypothesis
What are the levels of ochratoxin A and aflatoxins in liquorice products made in Italy?
Conclusion
The study found high levels of ochratoxin A in dried liquorice extract and low levels of aflatoxins in liquorice products.
Supporting Evidence
- OTA was detected in all samples of dried liquorice extract and in 61% of liquorice confectionery samples.
- The mean OTA concentration in dried liquorice extract was 89.6 µg kg-1, with a maximum of 990.1 µg kg-1.
- AFB1 was detected in only 15.8% of samples, with a maximum concentration of 7.7 µg kg-1.
Takeaway
This study looked at liquorice candy and found that it can have harmful chemicals called ochratoxin A and aflatoxins, especially in the dried liquorice part.
Methodology
The study surveyed 28 samples of dried liquorice extract and 54 samples of liquorice confectionery, analyzing them for ochratoxin A and aflatoxins using HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS/MS.
Limitations
The study only surveyed products made in Italy and may not represent liquorice products from other regions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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