Verica Jurić

Survey of Slaughtered Pigs for Occurrence of Ochratoxin A and Porcine Nephropathy in Serbia

Samples of blood, kidney and liver were randomly selected from slaughtered pigs (n=90) and analyzed for ochratoxin A by HPLC. In addition, in order to obtain information on the occurrence of nephropathy, histological examinations were carried out. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22–14.5 ng/g. The incidence of OTA in serum and kidney were very similar (31%, 33.3%), with a maximum concentration of 220.8 ng/mL, and 52.5 ng/g, respectively. Histopathological examination of kidneys confirmed tubulopathies with edema and cell vacuolization. In addition, hemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubules’ cells were found.

Toxicological Assessment of Toxic Element Residues in Swine Kidney and Its Role in Public Health Risk Assessment

In order to ensure the safety of consumers in Serbia the prevalence of toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) in swine kidney collected from three different areas in Serbia (n = 90) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Also, in order to find information on the effects of accumulation of toxic elements on swine kidney, pathohistological examination of the kidneys was performed. The presence of mercury was found in 33.3% of kidney samples in the range of 0.005–0.055 mg/kg, while the presence of cadmium was detected less often (27.7%) but in larger amounts (0.05–1.23 mg/kg). The presence of arsenic was found only in one sample, while no lead was found. The results of the metal-to-metal correlation analysis supported there were the result of different sources of contamination. Pathohistological examination of kidneys confirms tubulopathies with oedema and cell vacuolization. In addition, haemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubule cells were found. This study demonstrates that toxic elements in Serbian slaughtered pigs are found at levels comparable to those reported in other countries, and consequently the levels reported in this study do not represent a concern from a consumer safety point of view. The lack of a strong correlation between histopathological changes and the incidence of toxic elements found in this study might be explained as the result of synergism among toxic elements and other nephrotoxic compounds which enhance the toxicity of the individual toxins even at the relatively low mean concentrations observed in this study.

Evaluation and validation of two different chromatographic methods (HPLC and LC-MS/MS) for the determination and confirmation of ochratoxin A in pig tissues

This study was undertaken to compare two different analytical methods for the determination and confirmation of ochratoxin A (OTA) in blood serum, kidney and liver of pigs. Sample clean-up was based on liquid-liquid phase extraction. The detection of OTA was accomplished with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined either with fluorescence detection (FL) or electro spray ionization (ESI+) tandem mass spectrometry (MS–MS). Comparative method evaluation was based on the investigation of 90 samples of blood serum, kidney and liver per animal originating from different regions of Serbia. The analytical results are discussed in view of the respective method validation data and the corresponding experimental protocols. In general, analytical data obtained with (LC–MS–MS) liquid chromatography electro spray tandem mass spectro metry detection offered comparable good results at the sub-ppb concentration level. The results indicate that the liquid chromatography electro spray tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was more specific and sensitive for the analysis and confirmation of ochratoxin A in pig tissues then high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method after methylation of OTA.

Evaluation and Validation of Two Chromatographic Methods (HPLC-Fluorescence and LC–MS/MS) for the Determination and Confirmation of Ochratoxin A in Pig Tissues

Two different analytical methods for the determination and confirmation of ochratoxin A (OTA) in blood serum, kidney, and liver of pigs have been compared. Sample cleanup was based on liquid–liquid phase extraction. The detection of OTA was accomplished with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined either with fluorescence detection (FLD) or electrospray ionization (ESI+) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The comparative method of evaluation was based on the investigation of 90 samples of blood serum, kidney, and liver per animal originating from different regions of Serbia. The analytical results are discussed in view of the respective method validation data and the corresponding experimental protocols. In general, analytical data obtained with liquid chromatography (LC)-MS/MS detection offered comparable good results in the sub-ppb concentration level indicating that the electrospray tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method was more selective and sensitive for the analysis and confirmation of OTA in pig tissues than the HPLC method after the methylation of OTA.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A and heavy metals in tissues associated with porcine nephropathy in Serbia.

In order to find information on the occurrence of mycotoxic porcine nephropathy in Serbia, during a six month period (2006/2007) samples of blood, kidney and liver from individual animals were collected from healthy slaughtered pigs (n=90) and analysed by HPLC for ochratoxin A (OTA). In addition, the presence of nephrotoxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic were measured and the kidneys pathohistologically examined. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22-14.5 ng/g. The incidence of OTA in serum and kidney were very similar (30 and 31.1%), but varied between 0.24-220.8 ng/ml and 0.17-52.5 ng/g, respectively. The presence of mercury was confirmed in 33.3% of kidney samples and concentrations ranged between 0.005-0.055 mg/kg, while cadmium was found less frequently (27.7% positive samples) but at higher levels (0.05-1.23 mg/kg). The presence of arsenic was found in only one sample, while lead was not detected in any sample. Histopathological examination of kid...

Presence of ochratoxin A and toxic elements residue in tissues and their impact on safety of pork

The aim and task of this study was to determine the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in blood serum, liver and kidneys of fattening swine, slaughtered regularly, originating from different areas of Serbia. During meat inspection on the slaughterhouse line samples of blood, kidney and liver per animal were randomly sampled (n=90) and analyzed by HPLC for ochratoxin A. Also, the presence of nephrotoxic (cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic) elements in kidneys was carried out. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22-14.5 ng/g, while the incidence of OTA in serum and kidney samples were very similar (31 and 33.3%, respectively). The analyses showed that serum samples were positive in the range of 0.22-221 ng/mL, while ochratoxin A concentrations in the kidney were between 0.17 and 52.5 ng/g. The mean distribution of OTA residue followed the pattern: serum>kidneys>liver (100>34>17), while in respect to occurrence it followed the pattern: kidneys>serum>liver (100>93.4>79.9). The results of this study showed that 2.2% of kidney sample had a content of ochratoxin A above the maximum permitted limit in Serbia of 10 ng/g. The results from this survey indicated that there was a low correlation between the OTA level in serum and liver as well as in the OTA level in kidney and liver (r=0.319 and 0.341, respectively) while the strongest correlation was found between the OTA level in serum and in kidney (r=0.973). The presence of mercury was found in 33.3% of kidney samples in the range of 0.005-0.055 mg/kg, while the presence of cadmium was found to a lesser degree (27.7%). The Hg concentrations in the kidney samples were lower than 0.10 mg/kg and did not exceed the guideline level established in Serbia, while concentration of cadmium in only one kidney sample was greater than 1.0 mg/kg, and exceeded the limit proposed by the Serbian Rule Book. The presence of arsenic was found only in one sample, while the presence of lead was not established. This study shows the presence of OTA in Serbian slaughtered pigs at levels comparable to those reported in other countries.