Duarte, S.C.Bento, J.M.V.Pena, A.Lino, C.M.Pereira, J.A.Delerue-Matos, CristinaOliva-Teles, T.Morais, S.Correia, ManuelaOliveira, Beatriz2011-05-302011-05-302009Bento, J.; Duarte, S.; Pena, A.; Lino, C.M.; Pereira, J.A. (2009). Ochratoxin A content in urine from Bragança and Alentejo: a compartive analysis (Winter 2007). In 4th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis. Praga. p. 365. ISBN 978-80-7080-726-2978-80-7080-726-2http://hdl.handle.net/10198/4681Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin which possesses a variety of toxic effects, including enzyme inhibition, immunosuppression, teratogenicity, nephrotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. It is produced by fungi for which foodstuffs such as beans, cereals, fruits, and seeds constitute an ideal growing media. It has proven itself at least partly resistant to food processing methods, meaning it is also present in derived products and thus finds its way into the human organism. Recent studies have suggested that, though OTA can be found in both plasma and urine – through which it is eliminated, though with great difficulty – the latter provides a better indication of OTA ingestion. Its collection procedure is also less invasive, and developments in analytical methodology allow an equally precise analysis.engconference object