This study suggests that the fungi contaminated in grape berries may develop and produce OTA at the first stages of winemaking, such as crushing and maceration. Addition of SO2 and alcohol
accumulation can significantly inhibit the growth and OTA production by A. carbonarius.
Complete inhibition of growth and OTA
production are obtained at 500 mg/L SO2 addition or 2e4% of
ethanol concentration. Therefore, ethanol plays the predominant
role for controlling the death of Aspergillus spp. and their OTA
production