Contamination of Ochratoxin A
Coffee is a woody, perennial evergreen dicotyledon belonging to the botanical family Rubiaceae. Coffea is the most important member of this family economically, of which two species are traded widely. Coffee Arabica (Arabica), accounts for 60-70% of the world’s production. Coffea Canephora (Robusta) comprises 30-40% of world’s production. Ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination is commonly associated with cereals, fresh grapes, dried vine fruit, wine, beer, cocoa and specifically coffee. OTA is a mycotoxin produced mainly by the fungal genera Penicillium (P. verrucosum and P. nordicum) and Aspergillus, especially Aspergillus Ochraceus.