AimsThe aim of this research was to study the effect of time, temperature, sugar content and addition of diammonium phosphate (DAP) on ochratoxin A (OTA) removal by two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a completely randomized design. Methods and ResultsThe strains were grown in a medium containing OTA (2gl(-1)), two sugar levels (200 and 250gl(-1)), with or without DAP (300mgl(-1)), and incubated at 25-30 degrees C. The yeasts were able to decrease the toxin amount by c. 70%, with the highest removing effect observed after 3days at 30 degrees C in the presence of 250gl(-1) of sugars and with DAP; after 10days, the toxin was partially released into the medium. The strains produced high ethanol and glycerol contents, showed high tolerance to single/combined stress conditions and possessed -d-glucosidase, pectinase and xylanase activities. ConclusionsOchratoxin A removal was affected by time, temperature, sugar and addition of DAP. Moreover, the phenomenon was reversible. Significance and Impact of the StudyOchratoxin A removal could be an interesting trait for the selection of promising strains; however, the strains removing efficiently the toxin could release it back; thus, the selection of the starter should take into account both the removal and the binding ability of OTA.