Determination of the Level of Ochratoxin A and The Merchantability Criteria of Ivoirian Green Coffee Intended for Exportation

The objective of this study is to follow the evolution of Ochratoxin A levels and merchantability criteria of green coffee beans, in two consecutive seasons, at the port of Abidjan. Thus, 145 green coffee samples, of which 70 were collected during the 2008 campaign and 75 during the 2009 campaign, were analyzed. The merchantability criteria and ochratoxin A (OTA) levels were determined according to the Ivorian standards and the reference method of the European Union regulation respectively. The results indicate average moisture content of green coffee beans of 11.3 % and 11.2 % respectively for the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. Regarding the classification in grade, no sample belongs to grade 0 (G0) regardless of the campaign. The proportions of coffee grade I (GI) are 16 % and 23 % respectively for the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. Those of green coffee grade II (GII) are 41 % and 37 % respectively for the campaigns of 2008 and 2009. The coffee grade III (GIII) has rates of 39 % and 28 % respectively for the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. The proportions of Coffee Grade IV (GIV) are 4 % and 12 % respectively for the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. As for the total defects, it has rates of 12.61 % and 7.83 % respectively for the campaigns of 2008 and 2009. The average OTA concentrations determined in the green coffee batches do not vary statistically for any campaign and values are below 5 g/kg. This mycotoxin was not detected in 14 % of the samples taken during the 2008 campaign against 0 % in 2009. In addition, 13 % and 9 % of the samples taken during the campaigns of 2008 and 2009 respectively have concentrations above 5 g/kg. Thus special attention should be paid to the treatments of coffee cherries and taking into account the physical characteristics of green coffee grains during the selection of varieties to be popularized.