Ochratoxin A (OTA)  is produced by species of Penicillum and Aspergillus –  Aspergillus ochraceus, A. carbonarius, A. niger and Penicillium verrucosum.

These are most common food contaminating molds and produce Ochratoxin.  These mycotoxins can be present in cereals, cereal products, dry fruits, coffee beans, tomatoes, mangoes, strawberry, melons etc. Ochratoxin is also can be noticeable in wine, grapes, spices and liquorice.

These molds contamination generally happens as a result of poor storage of food commodities and suboptimal agricultural practices especially during the drying of foods.

The common symptoms of ochratoxin poisoning include: Kidney damage, immune suppression and in pregnant women can interfere in fetal development. Different studies have linked OTA exposure with the human diseases Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and chronic interstitial nephropathy (CIN), as well as kidney diseases.

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