Environ Monit Assess (2011) 178:271–280 DOI 10.1007/s10661-010-1688-9 Mycotoxin levels and incidence of mould in Turkish rice Ali Aydin · Harun Aksu · Ugur Gunsen Received: 26 December 2009 / Accepted: 23 August 2010 / Published online: 9 September 2010 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010 Abstract One hundred unpackaged rice samples, each weighing 500 g, were randomly collected at retail stores and open markets in the largest rice growing area (Thrace) in Turkey and analysed for mould counts, predominant mould genera, moisture content and mycotoxin levels. Mould counts ranged from 1.0 × 10 1 to 1.5 × 10 4 cfu/g in 70 of 100 samples, and the correlation between moisture content and mould count was significant ( p ≤ 0.05). Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., potential mycotoxin producers, were the domi- nant moulds. In one area from which samples were collected, the mycotoxin content of rice was found to be positively correlated with moisture content; samples with higher moisture also con- tained higher numbers of moulds. The levels of total aflatoxins, aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A were higher than the maximum tolerable limits (4, 2 and 3 μg/kg, according to the EC Regulation and the Turkish Food Codex) for 32, 14 and 30 of 100 rice samples, respectively. This is the first A. Aydin (B ) · H. Aksu Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University, 34320 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey e-mail: aliaydin@istanbul.edu.tr U. Gunsen Department of Food Technology, Bandirma Vocational High School, University of Balikesir, 10200 Bandirma, Balikesir, Turkey comprehensive report of ochratoxin A levels in rice grown in Thrace, Turkey. Keywords Mycotoxins · Mould contamination · ELISA · Public health · Rice · Turkey Introduction Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a very important food- stuff for billions of people. It is the dominant grain for half of the world population and provides 20% of the world’s dietary energy supply, with wheat and maize supplying 19% and 5%, respectively (FAO 2004). Rice cultivation is carried out in subtropical environments with sufficient warmth and high humidity. Mould contamination in cereal grains, which can occur at the farm or at the site of storage, affects the yield, quality and nutritional value of the products (Aran and Eke 1987). Mould growth is possible when the moisture content exceeded 13–15% (Jay 1996). The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that at least 25% of the world cereal production is contaminated with mycotoxins (Dowling 1997). Most of the my- cotoxins in rice are removed during the milling process (Takashi et al. 1984). The toxic effects of a number of mycotox- ins on human and animal health have led to an increase in legislative provisions aimed at con-