Determination of ochratoxin A in brewing materials and beer by ultra performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

In 2008-2009 the total set of 237 samples of malting barley, malt, hop, wort, and beer was analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination using the ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to fluorescence detection (FLD). The UPLC method is a fast technique with low limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ) compared to other methods used routinely. LOD and LOQ values were 0.0003 and 0.001 ng/ml for beer, 0.05 and 0.2 mu g/kg for barley and malt, 0.16 and 0.5 mu g/kg for hop, respectively. Ochratoxin A was detected in one barley sample (0.3 mu g/kg), one malt (0.7 mu g/kg) and one hop sample (0.6 mu g/kg). OTA content was also determined during the brewing process. In addition, samples of both domestic and foreign beers, obtained from local stores, were analysed. OTA content was determined in 39% of beer samples, the detected OTA level ranged from 0.001 to 0.0544 ng/ml. Only one beer sample contained 0.2438 ng/ml OTA. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.