An Automated Method for the Selective Solid Phase Extraction of Ochratoxin A from Wheat Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced as a secondary metabolite of various Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi and has been detected in a number of food and beverage products as well as animal tissue after exposure to OTA-contaminated feed. Exposure to high levels of OTA or prolonged exposure to OTA have been linked to nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity in animals such as pigs and poultry. This study describes the automated solid phase extraction (SPE) of OTA from wheat utilizing a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) SPE cartridge that is highly specific for OTA and the Gilson GX-271 ASPEC™ System.