Molecular identification of fungal species and evaluation of Ochratoxin A contamination in spreading flour in Hamedan bakeries

Background: The presence of toxicogenic fungi and the production of ochratoxin in flour are dangerous to human health. Therefore, identification of these fungi by molecular and precise methods is essential. The aim of this study was molecular identification of fungal species and investigation of ochratoxin A contamination in flours used in bakeries in Hamadan

Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 60 flour samples were collected from bakeries in Hamadan. At first, fungi were identified using phenotypic methods such as slide culture. Then, the genus and species of fungi were confirmed by PCR and sequencing of PCR products. ELISA method was used to detect ochratoxin A. Data were analyzed with GraphPad software version 6.

Results: Of the 60 samples, 28 flour samples (46.66%) were free of fungal contamination and 32 flour samples (53.33%) were over fungal contamination (104 colonies/gr). Aspergillus and penicillium were the most abundant in samples. The prevalence of fungi in flour of Lavash bread, Sangak Bread, Barbari bread, Taftoon bread (Handmade), Taftoon bread (Machinal made), Stokbrood bread and Loaf bread were 50%, 46%, 35%, 31%, 26%, 18% and 11%, respectively. However, the highest levels of ochratoxin A were reported in flour of Lavash bread (3.98 ppb) and the lowest in Loaf bread (0.66 ppb). There was also a significant relationship between the fungal species and the amount of ochratoxin A production in flour of beards.

Conclusion: While phenotypic and genotypic methods did not show the same sensitivity, the presence of ochratoxin in the studied flours indicated the necessity of modification in wheat storage and bakery flours.