Exposure to patulin from consumption of apple-based products

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by species of Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssochylamys. Several Scientific Committees classify patulin as mutagenic, embryotoxic and immunotoxic. It has been found as a natural contaminant of processed apple products and its presence may be indicative of the quality of fruit used in production. In this work, a method for the analysis of patulin is described, based on a simple liquid–liquid extraction with acetonitrile; patulin is analyzed using liquid chromatography with UV detection. Patulin identity was confirmed by GC–MS after its reaction with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. Fifty-three apple-containing products were analyzed and patulin was detected in 14 samples in a range 1.5–50.9 µg l–1; six of which were above the maximum permitted level of the European Union. Based on these results and juice consumption by the Spanish adult population, patulin estimated intake was 0.42 ng kg–1 body weight per day.