Greater than the 60% reduction in the concentration of OTA,?ochratoxin A, on superficially contaminated sultanas can be achieved by gaseous ozone treatment

Contaminated dried vine fruits including sultana grapes are regarded as an important source of ochratoxin A (OTA), a fungal secondary toxic metabolite, in human diets. Management of fungal contamination and OTA in the dried vine fruit industry includes prevention, regulation and decontamination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gaseous ozone on the degradation of OTA on spiked sultanas. The effect of ozonation on indigenous fungal populations and the concentration of phenolic substances was also evaluated on non?spiked portions of the sultana sample. Methods and ResultsSultanas were exposed to a continuous stream of gaseous ozone at 12.8 mg/L for up to 240?min in a treatment chamber at ambient laboratory conditions. The initial OTA level on spiked sultanas, determined as 16.7 ?g/kg, was reduced by 60.2 and 82.5% after 120 and 240?min of ozone exposure, respectively. Exposure to gaseous ozone for 120?min yielded more than 2.2 log reduction in the fungal population naturally present on sultanas. Ozonation for up to 120?min did not cause a significant (P?>?0.05) change in the concentration of phenolic substances of sultanas. ConclusionsGreater than the 60% reduction in the concentration of OTA on superficially contaminated sultanas can be achieved by gaseous ozone treatment without causing a significant decrease in the concentration of phenolic substances. Significance of the StudyGaseous ozone has potential to degrade OTA and reduce fungal viability on sultanas. SourcesUse of gaseous ozone for reduction of ochratoxin A and fungal populations on sultanasE. TorlakASVO, Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research Picture by Saber M?s, Revista de Divulgaci?n,?Ocratoxina A: un peligro escondido en tus alimentos