Relationship between good hygiene practices and ochratoxin A in organic coffee (Coffea arabica L.) from the main coffee regions in Peru

Abstract

The relationship of ochratoxin A (OTA) with good hygiene practices (BPH) in coffee plantations in Amazonas-Cajamarca, Cusco, Junin, Puno and San Martin was evaluated, using samples of parchment coffee (Coffee arabica L.) from the main processing and storage plants. Fulfillment of good hygiene practices (GHP) were verified through the sanitary evaluation of the coffee storage places, based on a checklist with all the requisites based in the Codex Alimentarius and the national regulation. OTA were analyzed using the fluorometric method. Moisture level were measured using the Peruvian Technical Guidelines. Fulfillment level of the good hygiene practices registered statistically equal values with an average of 68.1% being Puno the region with the best numeric register (70.3%). Moisture in the producing areas did not show statistically differences (p = 0.759), being lower compared with the international standards (11.5% vs 12.5%, respectively). It was found that higher OTA levels are associated with coffee with higher moisture contents (p = 0.023), being significantly higher in samples with moisture above the national and international regulation. Also, were found a negative correlation (p = 0.003) between the good hygiene practices and OTA which links the higher fulfillment of the hygiene guidelines with lower occurrence of mycotoxins.