An investigation of ochratoxin a in raisins by HPLC sold in Adana retail markets

Ochratoxin A is one of the major mycotoxin which is produced by the moulds belonging to several Aspergillus and Penicillium species and it holds great importance due to its nephrotoxic and cancerogenic affects.In many countries worldwide (including our country) where grape producing is common, the occurance of OTA in raisins, which are the main export products, bring the problems releavent to economy and healths. Since the level of OTA in foods is in ppb concentration, it is required to use sensitive methods in surveys. In this study, the quantity of OTA in raisins sold in Adana was studied on using HPLC device which brings out sensitive and reliable results.According to the analyses results of 40 raisin samples, OTA was found in 26 samples between 0.38?20.90 ?g/kg and in 3 samples OTA was (11.34, 19.39, 20.9 ?g/kg) above Turkish Legal Limits (10 µg/kg).Key words: Raisins, Ochtatoxin A, HPLC, Immunoaffinity Column