Determination of ochratoxin A in Portuguese rice samples by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A sensitive and accurate analytical method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in rice, based on extraction with phosphate-buffered saline/methanol, an immunoaffinity column (IAC) for clean-up, and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD), is described. The limit of quantification of the proposed method was 0.05 g kg^–1. Recovery of OTA from rice samples spiked at 0.05 g kg^–1 was 92%, with a within-day RSD of 5.4%. The proposed method was applied to 42 rice samples from Portugal and the presence of OTA was found in six samples at concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 3.52 g kg^–1. The identification of OTA was confirmed by methyl ester derivatization and then HPLC analysis. The daily intake of OTA by the Portuguese population was also estimated.