“In this paper we have isolated 61 filamentous fungal strains from OTA-contaminated French vineyards. Each strain was rigorously identified by classical systematic.”

The contamination of wine with ochratoxin A (OTA) is a hot subject in European research. At the time our paper was published, the organism responsible for OTA production had not yet been identified. This paper was the first to rigorously establish that OTA is produced exclusively by A. carbonarius in French vineyards. Given the health risk of OTA and the economical importance of the wine industry, the European Union began, in the year 2000, a program to study the importance of OTA contamination in Mediterranean vineyards. This program boosted research on OTA. As revealed by further studies, it turned out that A. carbonarius strains are responsible for most of the OTA produced in European vineyards. In only a few cases, the closely related strain Aspergillus niger was also found to produce OTA.

In this paper we have isolated 61 filamentous fungal strains from OTA-contaminated French vineyards. Each strain was rigorously identified by classical systematic techniques. Finally, we have studied OTA production by both Aspergillus and Penicillium strains. These tests revealed that OTA was exclusively produced by Aspergillus carbonarius. This study, for the first time, related the link between OTA levels and A. carbonarius contamination in vineyards.

On one hand, wine is both culturally and economically quite an important issue throughout Europe. On the other hand, OTA produces several health disorders in human beings. Thus, prevention of OTA contamination in wines is a major priority. We have identified the organism producing OTA, which was useful in defining simple strategies to fight OTA contamination. Once we had identified the fungi A. carbonarius as responsible for toxin production, treatments preventing A. carbonarius contamination became a valuable strategy.

One of the strong points of our laboratory is in fungal taxonomy and toxicology. During a European survey, OTA was found in table wines. Our lab was already involved in a long-term collaboration with the "Laboratoire de Toxicologie et d’Hygiène Appliquée" (Bordeaux, France). Given the risks associated with OTA and the synergies between these groups, we then jointly focused our research on OTA.

Millions of people may consume wine contaminated with OTA, thus identification of the organisms was useful in order to concentrate research on its ecology. Our results also allowed the careful consideration of strategies to control A. carbonarius contamination, such as antifungal agents or insecticides.