Determination of ochratoxin A in brewing materials and beer by ultra performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

In 2008–2009 the total set of 237 samples of malting barley, malt, hop, wort, and beer was analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination using the ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to fluorescence detection (FLD). The UPLC method is a fast technique with low limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ) compared to other methods used routinely. LOD and LOQ values were 0.0003 and 0.001 ng/ml for beer, 0.05 and 0.2 μg/kg for barley and malt, 0.16 and 0.5 μg/kg for hop, respectively. oxin A was detected in one barley sample (0.3 μg/kg), one malt (0.7 μg/kg) and one hop sample (0.6 μg/kg). OTA content was also determined during the brewing process. In addition, samples of both domestic and foreign beers, obtained from local stores, were analysed. OTA content was determined in 39% of beer samples, the detected OTA level ranged from 0.001 to 0.0544 ng/ml. Only one beer sample contained 0.2438 ng/ml OTA.