Levels of ochratoxins in Mediterranean red wines

The co-occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and its five analogs (OTB, OTC, MeOTA, MeOTB and EtOTB) in 96 red wine samples from Mediterranean countries has been demonstrated, for the first time, in this study.OTA was detected in 99% of the samples (

► OTA, OTB and their esters were evaluated in 96 Mediterranean's red wine samples. ► Wines analyzed are scarcely contaminated with ochratoxins. ► The six ochratoxins appeared simultaneously at low levels in 44.8% of the samples. ► When OTA is present (99% of the samples), it appeared simultaneously with OTB. ► Ochratoxin intake from wine could be underestimated when only OTA is analyzed.