Survey of Romanian slaughtered pigs for the occurrence of mycotoxins ochratoxins A and B, and zearalenone

Blood serum, kidney, liver and muscle sample per animal were collected from slaughtered pigs (n = 52). The samples were analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA ) and B (OTB) by HPLC methods. Zearalenone (ZEA) in serum was analysed by e nzyme immunoassay. A total of 98% serum samples were OTA positive in the ra nge of 0.05-13.4 ng/ml and 85% contained under 5 ng OTA/ml. The incidences of OTA in kidney and liver were very similar (79%, 75%) with mean levels of 0.54 ng/g and 0.16 ng/g, respectively. The lowest incidence (17%) and the lowest mean level contamination (0.15 ng/g) were in muscle samples. The mea n distribution in tissues followed the pattern serum > kidney > liver > mus cle (100%: 26%: 8.5%: 2.57%). No kidney, liver or muscle sample was found O TA positive above the maximum admitted limit in Romania (5 ng/g). No sample was found to be positive for OTB. A very similar OTA contamination (mean = 4.19 ng/ml, coefficient of variation = 34.4%) was observed in the serum sa mples (n = 10) collected from the same farm. A possible difference in regio nal distribution of OTA in Romania is suggested. Zearalenone was detected o nly in 17.3% of the serum samples with a maximum concentration of 0.96 ng/m l. This study shows the presence of OTA and ZEA in Romanian slaughtered pig s at levels comparable to those reported in other countries.