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The presence of two main mycotoxins, ochratoxin A (OTA) and deoxynivalenol (DON), is widespread in cerealbased
foodstuffs marketed in Europe. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a multi-detection
analytical methodology to simultaneously assess the urinary concentrations of OTA, DON and their metabolites, and
to apply this methodology in a preliminary follow-up trial in Catalonia (Spain). Hence, an ultra-performance liquid
chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to simultaneously assess the urinary levels
of OTA, DON, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3-glucoside), deoxynivalenol-3-glucuronide (DON-3-glucuronide),
3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1). Urine mycotoxins levels and food dietary
intake were prospectively monitored in a group of volunteers throughout a restriction period followed by a free-diet
period. The proposed multi-detection methodology for urinary OTA and DON metabolites was validated, providing
suitable recovery, linearity and precision. The results from the pilot trial showed that urinary OTA, DON and its
metabolites were detected in most background samples, displaying moderate reductions after the restriction period
and subsequently recovering the background levels. Despite the restriction period, some DON metabolites, such
as 3-ADON or DOM-1, were still found in urine samples, placing alternative sources of DON exposure other than
the ones considered in the study under suspicion. DON and DON-3-glucuronide were significantly associated with
consumption of bread, pasta and pastries, while OTA was only associated with consumption of wine and breakfast
cereals. The urinary levels of OTA were significantly correlated with plasmatic levels of OTA and ochratoxin α,
supporting the results from the multidetection method in urine. The results also showed that the high exposure
to DON could be held throughout the time by the same person, exceeding the tolerable daily intake systematically
instead of eventually. The estimates of OTA exposure through urine are largely higher than those obtained with the
dietary approach. The background levels found in urine revealed that the exposure to DON and OTA could be of
concern for the Catalonian population, thus, further studies applying this biomonitoring methodology in a larger
sample of Catalonian population are needed to accurately characterise the human health risks at population level.
The authors are grateful to the Spanish government (projects AGL2010-22182-C04-04 and AGL2011-24862) for the financial support. A. Vidal thanks the Spanish Government (Ministry of Education) for the pre-doctoral grant. |
