Evaluación de la calidad e inocuidad por contaminación con ocratoxina a de la cerveza artesanal expendida en bares de la ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and the safety of crafts beers expended in Cuenca pubs by determining the physicochemical and microbiological parameters according to INEN 2262 and through the determination of ochratoxin A level contamination. The samples investigated were 42 samples previously degassed. The pH and acidity were analyzed by potentiometric methods. Counting of aerobic mesophilic bacterias, and molds and yeasts were determined by viable standard plate count. The contamination for ochratoxin A was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The 2.4% (n=1) and 33.3% (n=14) of crafts beers were over the established range of the applicable regulations for pH and total acidity, respectively. Respecting to microbiological parameters, 95% (n=40) achieved high counts outside of the range recommended by the regulations with an average of 9.7*106 UFC/cm3 and 7.6*106 UP/cm3 for aerobic mesophilic bacterias and for molds and yeasts, respectively. On the other hand, the 23.8% (n=10) of crafts beers were contaminated with ochratoxin A, whose found levels weren`t above the maximum limit according to JECFA. It is concluded that the microbiological quality of crafts beers is deficient and it would the result of the lack of regulations by the responsible entities that they do not have any control over production of crafts beers.