Detection of Ochratoxin A in Tissues of Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Southern Italy

Bibliographic Details
Title: Detection of Ochratoxin A in Tissues of Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Southern Italy
Authors: Sara Damiano, Consiglia Longobardi, Lucia De Marchi, Nadia Piscopo, Valentina Meucci, Alessio Lenzi, Roberto Ciarcia
Source: Toxins, Vol 17, Iss 2, p 74 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Medicine
Subject Terms: Ochratoxin A, wild boars, liver, kidney, muscle, analytical quantification, Medicine
More Details: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite produced by fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, known to contaminate various food substrates. Its toxic effects include direct nephrotoxicity, as well as observed teratogenic, immunogenic, and carcinogenic effects. Climate change may contribute to increased humidity and temperature, favouring fungal growth and, consequently, OTA spreading. Recent increases in wild boar populations, along with their omnivorous nature and their varied diet, define them as environmental bioindicators for contaminants like mycotoxins. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of OTA in kidney, liver, and muscle tissue samples from 74 wild boars that were hunted in different areas of Avellino, Campania region, between 2021 and 2022. Tissue samples underwent extraction, purification, and analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a fluorescence detector. Results revealed OTA presence in 35.1% of tested wild boars. The highest OTA concentration was observed in the kidney and liver, with less in the muscle, indicating the presence of this mycotoxin in the wild boars and their surrounding environment. Consequently, there is a need to formulate rules for edible wildlife products. These findings emphasize the significant risk of OTA contamination in wild boar tissues, suggesting their potential as reliable environmental markers for mycotoxin prevalence and as a toxicological concern for human health.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2072-6651
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/2/74; https://doaj.org/toc/2072-6651
DOI: 10.3390/toxins17020074
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/205fb0e738184c1395d01f075037ea7a
Accession Number: edsdoj.205fb0e738184c1395d01f075037ea7a
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20726651
DOI:10.3390/toxins17020074
Published in:Toxins
Language:English