Background. Ochratoxin A (OTA), a secondary metabolite of fungi, is produced by fungi of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera. It is supplied to the body with food consumed by people. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of ochratoxin A in human body fluids in relation to diet. A part of the study group consisted of women who were donors from a breast milk bank. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation of ochratoxin A in body fluids (milk, urine, serum) and the diet of the women covered by the study. The study material consisted of 60 urine samples, 60 milk samples and 60 blood samples. Ochratoxin A in milk and urine was determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. For the determination of ochratoxin A in blood serum, we used a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC – MS/MS) method.
Results and conclusions. As a result of the analysis, it was found that as the frequency of consumption of dried grape fruit increases, there is a significant increase in the level of OTA in breast milk. Next, it was shown that as the frequency of beer consumption increases, there is a significant increase in the level of OTA in maternal urine. Finally, it was shown that a significant increase in maternal serum OTA levels occurs with an increase in the frequency of consumption of dried fruit. OTA was found in 4 out of 60 milk samples, in 40 out of 60 urine samples and in 60 out of 60 serum samples. The surveyed women’s average age was 31 (ranging from 22 to 41). Given all the respondents, 46 lived in the city, 14 in rural areas, 35 were economically active, 22 were not, and 3 were on maternity leave. On average, they had 2 children (from 1 to 4). Of all children being fed, 35 were male and 25 female. On average, delivery occurred on the
37th week of pregnancy (between the 27th and 42nd week).