Occurrence of patulin in apple-based-foods in Portugal

An analytic procedure based on high-performance liquid chromatography with solid-phase extraction and UV detection (SPE–HPLC–UV) was validated and used to analyse 144 apple-based-foods, including 68 apple juices (32 clear and 36 cloudy) and 76 homogenised apple purees marketed in Portugal. Patulin was detected in 33 samples (23%) with values ranging from 1.2 μg/kg to 42 μg/kg. Patulin was not detected in the analysed infant drinks but its presence was quantified in five homogenised apple puree (7%) labelled as being intended for infants and young children consumption. A higher incidence of positive samples was detected in cloudy juices (67%) when compared with clear ones (13%). When the production mode is considered, the incidence of positive samples was 20% and 24% for products of organic and conventional origin, respectively. This is the first study on the occurrence of patulin in apple-based-foods in Portugal, including baby food.