A survey of the fungal contamination and presence of ochratoxin A and zearalenone on Spanish feed and raw materials

The incidence of fungal contamination in 91 samples of feed and raw materials used for animal feeding in Spain has been studied. Sample analysis was accomplished in a new culture medium to which a beta-cyclodextrin had been added, and a comparison with other more usual culture media was performed. Ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA) contamination of all the samples was evaluated by RP-HPLC with fluorescence detection. The fungal genera found, such as Penicillium and Fusarium, included mycotoxigenic strains as OTA and ZEA (33.3 and 26.4% incidence respectively). One sample of corn and another of cotton seed were contaminated with levels of OTA above the 5 and/or 10 (mu)g kg^-1 recommended by the legislation of several European countries, whereas none of the samples contaminated with ZEA surpassed the legislation limits suggested by the official agencies.