contamination rate of ochratoxin a in rice on isfahan retail market

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that possess a risk to human health due to its nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic consequences. This study was undertaken to determine the presence and levels of OTA in different types of rice distributed in Isfahan.  For this, a total sample of 120 from 8 various types of rice was obtained from retail markets of Isfahan. Using ELISA method the samples were analyzed for the presence and contamination level of OTA. According to the kit manufacturer’s instruction, the recovery percentage of OTA in spiked rice samples at concentration of 5 ng/g was estimated at 84.9% and the detection limits for OTA was 0.625 ng/g. Analytical results showed a frequency of contamination of 20.8% of total rice samples. Levels of OTA in positive samples ranged from 1.07 to 10.83 ng/g and the average contamination level of samples was estimated at 3.5 ng/g. Among the samples, 3.3% were exceeded the permissible limits of 5 ng/g set by the European Regulations for OTA in cereals. According to the results, the daily intake of OTA via contaminated rice was estimated at 5.6 ng/kg bw/day.