Ochratoxin A levels in the plasma of healthy blood donors from Valencia and estimation of exposure degree: comparison with previous national Spanish data

Blood plasma levels of ochratoxin A, a toxic secondary metabolite of several fungal species belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, were determined in 168 blood donors from the population of Valencia (Spain) using LC-FLD. In conjunction with blood collection, detailed information on diet was obtained by using a questionnaire that encompassed a wide range of products potentially contaminated with the toxin. The investigation revealed a detection frequency of 100%. Mean level was 1.09 mu g OTA/l of plasma and concentrations ranged between 0.15 and 5.71 mu g OTA/l of plasma. Men's levels were slightly higher than levels observed in women. Results were analysed by Spearman rank correlation test and Gamma correlation statistic. There was no strong correlation between individual consumption of 26 food groups, described as possibly contaminated with OTA and plasma level of OTA. Multiple regression and factorial regression models were obtained explaining 14.9 and 64.4%, respectively, but they could not explain overall variability. Daily dietary intake of ochratoxin A was calculated on the basis of plasma toxin levels using the Breitholtz and Klassen formulae; for the overall population, mean values were 1.47 +/- 1.25 and 2.16 +/- 1.88 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. All results have been compared with other Spanish data.