Determination and detoxification of ochratoxin-A in maize by eco-friendlybiological methods

Abstract

Toxic mycobiota create ochratoxins, a class of mycotoxins, as secondary metabolites. All of the ochratoxins (A, B, and C) are structurally composed of polyketide dihydrocoumarin moiety derivatives connected to L-b-phenylalanine via an amide bond via the 7-carbon group. Among these, ochratoxin A (OTA) poses a serious hazard to public health globally and is frequently discovered in food and agricultural products to contaminate them. OTA's severe nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and teratogenic mutagenesis need the development of efficient, affordable, and ecologically friendly decontamination and detoxification techniques. Maize is widely consumed crop and approximately 4.5 million tons of maize produces in Pakistan. 20 samples of maize from the Lahore market were collected, in which the ochratoxin content was determined by ELISA and positive sample were detoxified by biological method. Out of 20 maize samples 60% positive OTA (12/20) were found ranging from 3.5±0.08 to 40±1.67 ppb. 42% (5/12) of positive samples had the level higher than 5 ppb (as the EU standard allowed). The highly positive sample was detoxified by neem, moringa and olive leaf powder extracts (2.5, 5 & 10%) and result revealed that all extracts detoxify the ochratoxin-A up to 93.67±1.25 %, 88.15±1.12 and 82.79±1.05%, respectively at 10% concentration. In the present study significant variation in OTA content was observed in the maize samples and these extracts are excellent for detoxification of ochratoxin. Further assessments in other similar products and improvements were recommended in order to reduce the level of ochratoxin.

Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 61(2), 77-84, 2026