The change in concentration of ochratoxin A and antioxidant capacity during the production of grape juice

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a dangerous fungal toxin, has widely contaminated grapes and its by-products. To estimate dietary intake, information about OTA behavior during processing is demanded. There is currently much data to predict the fate of the OTA in different types of wine, but more is needed for grape juice This study evaluated the effect of grape juice-making steps on OTA contents antioxidant compounds, and activity capacity. OTA extraction and analysis were performed by immunoaffinity column and high-performance liquid chromatography. The juice was made from grapes artificially contaminated with OTA at a level of 5.0 mu g/kg. Statistically significant changes in responses were found after the washing, preheating, juicing, clarification, and pasteurization processes. The processing of the grapefruit into grape juice led to a total decline of 62.0 % in OTA level. The remaining OTA content in the final grape juice in the present study was lower than the maximum residue limit for this product established by European Union (EU) legislation (2 mu g/kg). Moreover, the overall reduction of 56.2 %, 53.9 %, and 54.3 % in the total phenolic, total flavonoid, and antioxidant capacity were observed, respectively.