STUDY OF MYCOFLORA AND OCHRATOXINS IN SOME FOODS SOLD IN ALEXANDRIA MARKETS

Abstract

Certain fungi produce chemical substances that cause toxic symptoms when man or animals ingest food containing these fungi. These chemicals are referred to as mycotoxins. Ochratoxins are considered as one of the most important mycotoxins. Ochratoxin A 1s one of the most frequent contaminating mycotoxins m ochratoxins group. It is nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive.

The aim of this study was to explore the presence of mycoflora and ochratoxins in some foods sold in Alexandria markets. To achieve this aim, a total of 150 food samples (28 dairy products, 30 meat products, 30 cereals

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and legumes, 20 coffee products, 32 sample of miscellaneous food products in addition to ten samples of infant foods) were collected from Alexandria markets where the following was carried out:

1. Enumeration of mold colonies for each sample using Czapek Dox Agar at 20 - 25 o C for 5 - 7 days. The isolated mold genera and species were identified through macroscopical and microscopical examination of the colonies.