La ocratoxina A en alimentos de consumo humano: revisión / Ochratoxin A in foods for human consumption: review

Introducción: La Ocratoxina A (OTA) es una micotoxina neurotóxica, inmunosupresora, genotóxica, carcinógena y teratogénica de gran actualidad que contamina alimentos de consumo humano, principalmente cereales y derivados, bebidas alcohólicas y productos de molienda(café, cacao). Los niveles de Ocratoxina A en los alimentos están estrechamente relacionados con las condiciones de producción y conservación. Objetivo: Esta revisión tiene como objetivo evaluar la presencia de OTA en diferentes grupos de alimentos, así como actualizar el conocimiento sobre su toxicidad, mecanismo de acción, métodos de análisis utilizados para su detección y cuantificación, y diferentes aspectos sobre su legislación. Método: Se buscaron y seleccionaron, en base a unos criterios de inclusión, artículos y publicaciones relacionados con los mecanismos de acción, toxicidad, análisis y legislación de la OTA en alimentos, publicados en las bases de datos de MEDLINE/PubMed, Scielo, Science Direct, Ebscohost. Resultados: La presencia de OTA sigue observándose en diferentes grupos de alimentos. Los niveles detectados son inferiores a los permitidos por la legislación vigente. Sin embargo, se observa como prácticas agrotecnológicas de producción poco adecuadas y la incorrecta conservación de algunos alimentos siguen constituyendo puntos de control crítico para evitar los riesgos tóxicos derivados de la exposición humana a esta toxina. Conclusiones: Se recomienda fomentar el uso correcto de prácticas agrotecnológicas sobre las materias primas y productos transformados, con el objetivo de reducir la concentración de OTA presente en los alimentos y evitarla toxicidad consecuente al consumo de alimentos contaminados por OTA (AU)

Introduction: Ochratoxin A is a neurotoxic, immunosuppressive, genotoxic, carcinogenic and teratogenic mycotoxins present in human food, mainly cereals and cereals products, alcoholic beverages and mill products(coffee, cocoa). The levels of Ochratox in A in food are closely related with the production and conservation conditions. Objetive: This review aims to assess the presence of OTA in different food groups, and to update the knowledge about its toxicity, mechanism of action, methods of analysis used for detection and quantification, and different aspects about regulations. Methods: References and publications related to the mechanism of action, toxicity, analysis and regulations about OTA in foods were searched and selected based on inclusion criteria. MEDLINE/PubMed, Scielo, Science Direct, Ebscohost were used as databases. Results: The presence of OTA keeps on being observed in different food groups. The detected OTA levels are below those permitted by limits set by the regulations However, inadequate agrotechnological production practices and improper storage of foods remain as critical control points to avoid the toxic hazards resulting from human exposure to this toxin. Conclusions: It’s recommended to promote the correct use of agrotechnological practices for raw materials and processed products to reduce the concentration of OTA in foods and to avoid the toxicity resulting from the consumption of OTA contaminated foods (AU)

[Ochratoxin A in foods for human consumption: review]. / La ocratoxina A en alimentos de consumo humano: revisión.

INTRODUCTION: Ochratoxin A is a neurotoxic, immunosuppressive, genotoxic, carcinogenic and teratogenic mycotoxins present in human food, mainly cereals and cereals products, alcoholic beverages and mill products (coffee, cocoa). The levels of Ochratoxin A in food are closely related with the production and conservation conditions. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to assess the presence of OTA in different food groups, and to update the knowledge about its toxicity, mechanism of action, methods of analysis used for detection and quantification, and different aspects about regulations. METHODS: References and publications related to the mechanism of action, toxicity, analysis and regulations about OTA in foods were searched and selected based on inclusion criteria. MEDLINE/PubMed, Scielo, Science Direct, Ebscohost were used as databases. RESULTS: The presence of OTA keeps on being observed in different food groups. The detected OTA levels are below those permitted by limits set by the regulations However, inadequate agrotechnological production practices and improper storage of foods remain as critical control points to avoid the toxic hazards resulting from human exposure to this toxin. CONCLUSIONS: It's recommended to promote the correct use of agrotechnological practices for raw materials and processed products to reduce the concentration of OTA in foods and to avoid the toxicity resulting from the consumption of OTA contaminated foods.