Ochratoxin A: A Persistent Menace in Nigerian Stored Cocoa Beans

Aim: To assess the levels of OTA in stored cocoa beans in southwest Nigeria. Study Design: The cocoa beans samples for this study were collected randomly from seemingly healthy cocoa beans in six cocoa producing states. Methodology: A solid phase direct enzyme immunoassay in Helica Biosystems kit was used to quantify OTA in 95 cocoa beans samples. Results: The result showed that 82.1% of the samples were contaminated with OTA with concentration ranging from 1.08 mg/kg - 15.24 mg/kg. Out of 95 samples analyzed, 51.6% exceeded the proposed European Commission 2 mg/kg maximum limit of OTA in cocoa powder. There was significant difference in OTA levels observed in cocoa beans collected in the states surveyed (p = 0.05). Conclusion: The knowledge of OTA incidences in stored cocoa beans is imperative and insightful to reducing OTA contaminations in cocoa beans through intervention schemes that take into cognizance periodic creation of awareness and training of farmers and other stakeholders on best pre and post-harvest practices that ensure the production of quality cocoa beans.