Occurrence of aflatoxin B1, citrinin and ochratoxin A in rice in five provinces of the central region of Vietnam

The possible coexistence of three mycotoxins in rice, including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), citrinin (CIT) and ochratoxin A (OTA), was investigated. The samples of rice were collected in large markets in five provinces of the central region of Vietnam. These toxins were extracted, purified and finally quantified by HPLC with fluorimetry detection. Contamination of AFB1 was found to be the most, followed by OTA, while contamination of CIT was insignificant. The coexistence of CIT with AFB1/OTA in rice was found in high percentage. Some samples overpassed the authorized limit by Europe in OTA and/or AFB1.