Mycotoxin occurrence in beer produced in several European countries

The occurrence of ochratoxin A, trichothecenes, fumonisins and aflatoxins in a sample of 106 beers produced in several European countries, was investigated. The analyses were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection for ochratoxin A and aflatoxins, gas-chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, both coupled with mass spectrometer, for trichothecenes and fumonisins, respectively. Aflatoxins were not detected in any samples, whereas ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins were found in a relatively high number of samples. Their presence was at low levels in all samples; however, some differences were observed between the European countries. As regards ochratoxin A. beer samples from southern Europe showed levels always lower than 0.040 mu g l(-1), while the samples from other European countries showed significantly higher values, up to 0.189 mu g l(-1) (P<0.001). For fumonisins, the levels of Italian beers were significantly higher compared to the samples from other countries (P=0.006). (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.