Occurrence of patulin in apple-based-foods largely consumed in Tunisia

Patulin (PAT) is a toxic metabolite produced by several filamentous fungi of the genera of Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssochlamys, principally by Penicillium expansum. A total of 85 samples of apple products largely consumed by Tunisian population were analyzed for PAT content, including apple juice, baby food and mixed juice collected during 2011 from the major supermarkets and stores located in Tunisia. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of PAT in the widely-consumed apple products in Tunisia, to compare the levels of PAT contamination with the European norms and to suggest some factors that can promote the production of this mycotoxin in our country. To perform this study, we developed and validated, in our laboratory conditions, an HPLC method for a quantitative analysis of PAT in apple products. Our results showed that the incidence of PAT contamination was 35%. The levels of contamination determined in the total samples ranged between 0 and 167 μg/l with a mean value of 20 μg/l and a median of 13 μg/l. Eighteen percent (18%) of the total juice samples (apple juices and mixed juices) and twenty-eight percent (28%) of the baby food samples exceeded the tolerable limit recommended by the European Union, which are respectively 50 μg/l and 10 μg/l.