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In this study, 135 samples of cocoa beans collected in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest regions of Brazil were analysed to evaluate the possible co-occurrence of 34 mycotoxins. The results indicate that 42% of the cocoa samples exhibited quantifiable levels for 11 mycotoxins: aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2 and G1; ochratoxin A; citrinin; cyclopiazonic acid; tenuazonic acid; paxilline; sterigmatocystin; zearalenone and fumonisin B2. Of the samples, 18% exhibited the co-occurrence of up to six mycotoxins. No toxins belonging to the groups of trichothecenes or ergot alkaloids were detected. Contingency analysis of the incidence of mycotoxins did not show significant differences between the two regions evaluated. Seven samples were contaminated with AFs, while only one contained ochratoxin A above 10 μg kg−1. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by proficiency testing for ochratoxin A, where satisfactory Z-scores were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot survey aimed to assess the occurrence of tetracyclines and the 4-epimers of oxytetracycline, tetracycline and chlortetracycline in commercial pasteurized milks sold in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between October 2009 and March 2010. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, developed and validated in our laboratory, was used. All 100 analyzed samples were compliant, but 14 contained oxytetracycline in concentrations ranging from the method limit of detection (3.7 µg l-1) to the method limit of quantification (12.2 µg l-1). One sample contained oxytetracycline and tetracycline simultaneously (at a concentration slightly higher than method limit of quantification, 7.0 µg l-1). The presence of 4-epioxytetracycline and 4-epitetracycline in contaminated samples with the parent drugs could not be confirmed as traces were detected only in the quantification MRM transition. No other tetracyclines were detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]