Relationship between ergosterol and mycotoxins in tomato paste and tomato juice

The relationship between ergosterol and three important mycotoxins (alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and tenuazonic acid) in tomato paste and tomato juice was investigated. Test samples of tomato paste and juice were collected from 15 different tomato processing plants in Turkey. HPLC method was used for the determination of ergosterol and alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid toxins. All the sample had trace or zero amounts of contaimination with Alterneria toxins and ergosterol. Thus, the ergosterol and alternaria toxin concentrations of the samples are safe according to national and/or international legal limits. The contents of TA and AOH in test samples significantly correlated with the ergosterol contents for both paste and juice products, whereas no significant correlation only in tomato juice was found between AME and ergosterol contents. Novelty impact statement Ergosterol has great potential for the assessment of tomato paste and tomato juice samples as related to Alternaria toxins. Alternariol (AOH) and tenuazonic acid (TA) toxins correlated with the ergosterol in mold tomato paste and tomato juice. Depending on mold genera, different concentrations of Alterneria toxins and ergosterol can be produced on the tomato paste and tomato juice samples.