Resumen
Introduction: Dried vine fruits (raisins) and their juice are widely consumed by human as a diet. Raisins have been shown highly contaminated with ochratoxin A (OTA) and OTA-producing fungi. Ochratoxin A is a potent nephrotoxic and carcinogen to human and animals. Materials and Methods: Dried vine fruit samples was obtained from local shops for fruit juice and soft drinks in Duhok province. Two different media, Dichloran R ose Ben gal Chloromphenicol Agar (DRBC) and Dichloran 18 % Glycerol Agar (DG-18) was used for the counting and isolation of fungi from dried vine fruits. Grape juice were prepared from dried vine fruit after blending with water in a commercial blender. Natural contamination with ochratoxin A was detected by LC-MS/MS technique. Results and Discussion: All samples confirmed to be contaminated with fungi with various degrees. A total of 19 filamentous genera of fungi as well to Yeasts and non-sporulation mycelium was detected. Predominant genera detected on both media were Aspergillus and Penicillium. Detected value of ochratoxn A in juices obtained from dried vine fruits was between 0.37 ng/ml to 1.85 ng/ml. Samples contaminated with ochratoxin A were associated with Aspergillus carbonarius, A. niger aggregate, A. sclerotium, A. ochraceus, and Penicillum verrucosum. Conclusion: Dried vines fruit were highly contaminated with a broad spectrum of filamentous fungi. Black aspergilli were the most detected species from samples naturally contaminated with ochratoxin A.