Ochratoxin A in coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.) processed by dry and wet methods

The incidence of ochratoxin A was studied in different coffee (Coffea arabica L.) samples. A higher incidence of filamentous fungi was observed in the coffee swept from ground and floating coffee samples. The species Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus sulphureus and Aspergillus sclerotiorum were ochratoxin A producing. In 128 (44%) samples ochratoxin A was not detected; however, in 89 samples (31%), ochratoxin A was detected at 0.1–5.0 μg/Kg levels. Other 25% samples presented contamination above 5.0 μg/Kg. This study showed that the fractions coffee swept from ground and floating coffee represents a serious risk of ochratoxin A contamination.