The effect of the interactions of water activity, and temperature on OTA, OTB, and OTα produced by Penicillium verrucosum in a mini silo of natural and inoculated wheat using CO2 production as fungal activity sentinel

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxin that contaminates grains in storage. Moisture and temperature sensors give delayed responses due to their slow kinetic movement within the silo. This study examines if CO2 production could predict OTA contamination and identify storage conditions exceeding the maximum limit (5 μg/kg). The impact of water activity levels (0.70–0.90 aw), temperatures (15 and 20 °C), and storage duration on (a)Penicillium verrucosum population, (b)CO2 respiration rates (RR), and (c)ochratoxins concentrations in stored wheat was investigated. 96 samples were analysed for ochratoxins with LCMS-MS. RR was >7 times higher at wetter conditions than at drier aw levels. A positive correlation between CO2, OTA, OTB, and OTα was observed at the wettest conditions. OTA exceeded the limit at >0.80 aw (16% moisture content) with RR > 0.01 mg CO2 kg−1 h−1. The knowledge of the RR of stored grain would alert grain farmers/managers to improve grain storage management.