Prevalence and concentration of ochratoxin a in spices: a global systematic review and meta-analysis study

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most important toxic metabolites fungi found in agricultural products. This study aimed to estimate prevalence and concentration OTA spices through meta-analysis. Therefore, online databases including PubMed, Embase, Web Science, Scopus were screened systematically from 1995 2022 collect related data. After assessing eligibility, 36 articles with 1686 samples included current study. According findings, global pooled was counted as 50% (95% CI: 47–52%). Also, a positive correlation between year study, region, sample size observed. Moreover, highest lowest concentrations noted paprika (50.66 ng/g) cinnamon (3.4 ng/g), respectively. The outcome this meta-analysis can be used for risk assessment model development, aiming help government industries find specific way reduce spice