The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in dried grapes was surveyed in this study. Sixty-six samples of dried grapes (40 currants, 16 sultanas and 10 raisins) were collected from dried grapes factories in Hamadan province, Iran, from October 2012 to March 2013. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine OTA in these samples. OTA was detected in 23 (57.5%) currants, 10 (62.5%) sultanas and 6 (60%) raisins samples. Levels in five samples exceeded the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) maximum level of 5 µg/kg. However, OTA content in none of the samples exceeded the maximum limit prescribed in the European Union (EU) regulations, which is 10 µg/kg. The obtained data contribute to information on OTA levels in Iranian dried grapes.
Keywords: HPLC; Iran; dried grapes; ochratoxin A.