Detection of Ochratoxin A in Maize and Its Potential Impact on Avian Pathology in Romanian Farms
Silviu-Ionut Beia,
Violeta Alexandra Ion,
Elvira Gagniuc,
Oana-Crina Bujor,
Elena Ştefania Ivan,
Andreea Barbu,
Elena Pitoiu,
Violeta Elena Beia,
Liliana Bădulescu
Affiliations
Silviu-Ionut Beia
Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Violeta Alexandra Ion
Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Elvira Gagniuc
Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Oana-Crina Bujor
Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Elena Ştefania Ivan
Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Andreea Barbu
Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Elena Pitoiu
Synevovet Laboratory, 81 Pache Protopopescu Blvd., 021408 Bucharest, Romania
Violeta Elena Beia
National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, 1 Piaţa Presei Libere, 013701 Bucharest, Romania
Liliana Bădulescu
Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd., 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin that commonly contaminates maize, posing significant health risks to both poultry and humans. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method utilizing ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (UPLC-FLD) was developed for the quantification of OTA levels in maize. The method utilizes immunoaffinity column purification for improved specificity. Accuracy and precision were validated in line with European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL-MP) guidelines, meeting regulatory standards for linearity, trueness, detection and quantification limits, precision, and uncertainty, as per European Commission Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006 and its amendments. The method demonstrated an average recovery rate of 116.78% for maize, with RSDwR values (within-laboratory reproducibility) of 12.72%. Furthermore, OTA occurrence and its possible effects were investigated in several farms in South Romania, where necropsy and histopathological analyses of poultry revealed severe kidney damage, including renal tubular degeneration.
