*Article* **Ochratoxin A in Beers Marketed in Portugal: Occurrence and Human Risk Assessment**

#### **Liliana J. G. Silva \*, Ana C. Teixeira, André M. P. T. Pereira, Angelina Pena and Celeste M. Lino**

LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Bromatology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Azinhaga de Stª Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; catarina\_tex@hotmail.com (A.C.T.); andrepereira@ ff.uc.p<sup>t</sup> (A.M.P.T.P.); apena@ci.uc.pt (A.P.); cmlino@ci.uc.pt (C.M.L.)

**\*** Correspondence: ljgsilva@ ff.uc.p<sup>t</sup>

Received: 24 February 2020; Accepted: 11 April 2020; Published: 12 April 2020

**Abstract:** Ochratoxin A (OTA) is produced by fungi present in several agricultural products with much relevance to food safety. Since this mycotoxin is widely found in cereals, beer has a potential contamination risk. Therefore, it was deemed essential to quantify, for the first time, the levels of OTA in beer, a cereal-based product that is marketed in Portugal, as well as to calculate the human estimated weekly intake (EWI) and risk assessment. A total of 85 samples were analyzed through immunoa ffinity clean-up, followed by liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (LC-FD). This analytical methodology allowed a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.43 μg/L. The results showed that 10.6% were contaminated at levels ranging between <LOQ and 11.25 μg/L, with an average of 3.14 ± 4.09 μg/L. Samples of industrial production presented lower incidence and contamination levels than homemade and craft beers. On what concerns human risk, the calculated EWI was significantly lower than the tolerable weekly intake (TWI). However, in the worst case scenario, based on a high concentration, the rate EWI/TWI was 138.01%.

**Keywords:** ochratoxin A; beer; immunoa ffinity clean-up; LC-FD; human risk assessment

**Key Contribution:** The first immunoa ffinity column (IAC)-LC–FD OTA analysis of beer marketed in Portugal showed that only 10.59% of the samples were positive with a mean of 3.14 ± 4.09 μg/L, with homemade and craft production beers presenting higher frequencies and levels. Regarding human risk assessment, the EWI was considerably lower than the TWI established.
