SIMULTANEOUS SCREENING OF TOTAL AFLATOXINS (B1, B2, G1, G2) AND OCHRATOXIN A (OTA) IN COFFEE SAMPLES

The aim of this survey was to determine the occurrence of total aflatoxins (B-1, B-2, G(1), and G(2)) and ochratoxin A (OTA) from different coffee brands and types in the southeastern region of Turkey. Coffee samples (deep-roasted coffee (it is called 'mirra' in Turkey), powdered Turkish coffee, green coffee beans and instant coffee) were collected from supermarkets, retail coffee shops, cafes and touristic bazaars. Total aflatoxins and OTA were microbiologically detected by solid phase direct ELISA. The survey included 90 coffee samples. Survey results demonstrated that 39 (43%) were positive for the presence of total aflatoxins and 36 (%40) out of the 90 samples were positive for the presence of OTA. Total aflatoxin concentrations were found in the range 0.08 - 42.81 mu g kg(-1), only 11 of them exceeded the maximum limit of 10 mu g kg(-1) which is allowed by the European Union for total aflatoxins. OTA levels were range from 0.10 to 41.28 mu g kg(-1); only 9 of the samples exceeded the maximum allowed a limit of 5.0 mu g kg(-1), which is set by the Turkish Food Codex and the European Union. The mean relative humidity level of coffee samples was 5.35. The results of this study has shown the significance of government control programmes in coffee production and sale. This study assessed for occurrence of total aflatoxins and OTA in coffee from different types and brands of coffee.