Levels of ochratoxin A in blood from Norwegian and Swedish blood donors and their possible correlation with food consumption

Blood levels of ochratoxin A were determined in 406 Scandinavian blood dono rs (206 from Oslo, Norway, and 200 from Visby on the island of Gotland, Swe den), using an HPLC method. In connection with the blood collection, the su bjects were asked to fill in a food questionnaire to obtain individual diet ary information relevant to ochratoxin A exposure. The mean plasma level of ochratoxin A was 0.18 ng/ml in Oslo and slightly higher, 0.21 ng/ml (P = 0 .046) in Visby. There was no correlation between plasma levels of ochratoxi n A and the estimated total dietary intake of ochratoxin A based on consump tion data and levels in food (retrieved from the literature), neither was t he plasma level of ochratoxin A correlated with the total amount of food co nsumed. However, consumption of several foods, including cereal products, w ine, beer and pork, were to some minor degree related to high plasma levels of ochratoxin A. The strongest correlations (correlation coefficient r >0. 4; P <0.001) were observed for women in relation to the consumption of beer or medium brown bread. Correlation analysis of combinations of two or more food categories did not result in any statistically significant correlatio n. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.