Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, China

The conducive conditions of warm and humid climates can facilitate mold proliferation and subsequent mycotoxin production during food processing and distribution, thereby posing a potential risk to consumer health. However, there exists a significant lack of research regarding the diversity of molds...

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Main Authors: Qinghua Gong, Zihan Zhang, Peiwen Huang, Bo Wang, Xiangfeng Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3205
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author Qinghua Gong
Zihan Zhang
Peiwen Huang
Bo Wang
Xiangfeng Zheng
author_facet Qinghua Gong
Zihan Zhang
Peiwen Huang
Bo Wang
Xiangfeng Zheng
author_sort Qinghua Gong
collection DOAJ
description The conducive conditions of warm and humid climates can facilitate mold proliferation and subsequent mycotoxin production during food processing and distribution, thereby posing a potential risk to consumer health. However, there exists a significant lack of research regarding the diversity of molds and the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and patulin (PAT) in food products available in the Yangzhou market. This study was conducted to assess OTA contamination levels and fungal presence in 57 cereal-based food samples, as well as PAT contamination levels and fungal presence in 50 types of foods, including apples, hawthorn berries, pears, and their derivatives. Ochratoxin A (OTA) was detected in 17 out of 57 cereal-based food samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.93 to 32.69 μg/kg. The contamination rate was determined to be 31.48%, and no samples exceeded the established regulatory limits. Furthermore, seven apple products were identified as contaminated with patulin (PAT), exhibiting concentrations between 26.85 and 192.78 μg/kg. Additionally, three food samples derived from hawthorn showed PAT contamination levels ranging from 29.83 to 88.56 μg/kg. Through purification on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, observation of colony morphology, and analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, a total of 35 fungal strains belonging to 13 genera were identified in cereal-based foods. The predominant genera in cereals included <i>Talaromyces</i>, <i>Fusarium</i>, <i>Aspergillus</i>, and <i>Penicillium</i>. Additionally, twelve fungal strains from five genera (<i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Cladosporium</i>, <i>Aureobasidium</i>, <i>Curvularia</i>, and <i>Alternaria</i>) were isolated and identified in fruits and their derivatives. The findings indicate that OTA and PAT toxins are one of the important risk factors that threaten consumer health. Furthermore, the contamination of some other toxigenic strains is also a matter of substantial concern, with potential implications for consumer health.
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spelling doaj-art-a0e0a26cd0fe430fb982e31e9526cea12025-08-20T02:16:50ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-10-011319320510.3390/foods13193205Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, ChinaQinghua Gong0Zihan Zhang1Peiwen Huang2Bo Wang3Xiangfeng Zheng4College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, No. 196 West Huayang Road, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, No. 196 West Huayang Road, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, No. 196 West Huayang Road, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, No. 196 West Huayang Road, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, No. 196 West Huayang Road, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaThe conducive conditions of warm and humid climates can facilitate mold proliferation and subsequent mycotoxin production during food processing and distribution, thereby posing a potential risk to consumer health. However, there exists a significant lack of research regarding the diversity of molds and the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and patulin (PAT) in food products available in the Yangzhou market. This study was conducted to assess OTA contamination levels and fungal presence in 57 cereal-based food samples, as well as PAT contamination levels and fungal presence in 50 types of foods, including apples, hawthorn berries, pears, and their derivatives. Ochratoxin A (OTA) was detected in 17 out of 57 cereal-based food samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.93 to 32.69 μg/kg. The contamination rate was determined to be 31.48%, and no samples exceeded the established regulatory limits. Furthermore, seven apple products were identified as contaminated with patulin (PAT), exhibiting concentrations between 26.85 and 192.78 μg/kg. Additionally, three food samples derived from hawthorn showed PAT contamination levels ranging from 29.83 to 88.56 μg/kg. Through purification on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, observation of colony morphology, and analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, a total of 35 fungal strains belonging to 13 genera were identified in cereal-based foods. The predominant genera in cereals included <i>Talaromyces</i>, <i>Fusarium</i>, <i>Aspergillus</i>, and <i>Penicillium</i>. Additionally, twelve fungal strains from five genera (<i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Cladosporium</i>, <i>Aureobasidium</i>, <i>Curvularia</i>, and <i>Alternaria</i>) were isolated and identified in fruits and their derivatives. The findings indicate that OTA and PAT toxins are one of the important risk factors that threaten consumer health. Furthermore, the contamination of some other toxigenic strains is also a matter of substantial concern, with potential implications for consumer health.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3205fungimycotoxinfood safetyHPLC
spellingShingle Qinghua Gong
Zihan Zhang
Peiwen Huang
Bo Wang
Xiangfeng Zheng
Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, China
Foods
fungi
mycotoxin
food safety
HPLC
title Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, China
title_full Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, China
title_fullStr Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, China
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, China
title_short Assessment of Fungal and Contamination of Ochratoxin A and Patulin in Foods Susceptible to Contamination in the Yangzhou Market, China
title_sort assessment of fungal and contamination of ochratoxin a and patulin in foods susceptible to contamination in the yangzhou market china
topic fungi
mycotoxin
food safety
HPLC
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/19/3205
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