Aflatoxin Contamination, Exposure among Rural Smallholder Farming Tanzanian Mothers and Associations with Growth among Their Children

Abstract

Recently, aflatoxin exposure especially through maize and groundnuts has been associated with growth impairment in children. Infants and children are considered to be more susceptible to toxins because of their lower body weight, higher metabolic rate, and lower ability to detoxify. On the other hand, for women of reproductive age, aflatoxin exposure may not only affect their health but also that of their foetus in the case of pregnancy. This study focused on investigating AFB1 contamination in maize and groundnut from respondent households, exposure among women of reproductive age and associations of aflatoxin contamination with growth retardation among children in Mtwara region, Tanzania. The highest maximum AFB1 contamination levels from all samples obtained were in maize grain (2351.5 μg/kg). From a total of 217 maize samples collected, aflatoxins were above European Union (EU) and East African Community (EAC) tolerable limits in 76.0% and 64.5% of all samples. Specifically, maize grain had the highest proportion of samples contaminated above tolerable limits (80.3% and 71.1% for EU and EAC limits). Groundnut had 54.0% and 37.9% of samples above EU and EAC maximum tolerable limits. The lowest proportion of contaminated samples on the other hand was for bambara nut (37.5% and 29.2% for EU and EAC limits, respectively). Aflatoxin exposure in our surveyed population was much higher than previous observations made in Tanzania and also higher than those observed in Western countries such as Australia and the USA. Among children, AFB1 concentration was associated with lower weight for height z scores and weight for age z scores in the univariate model (p < 0.05). In summary, these results indicate the seriousness of aflatoxin contamination in foods commonly consumed in the vulnerable population assessed. Strategies both from the health, trade, and nutrition sectors should therefore be designed and implemented to address aflatoxin and mycotoxin contamination in diets.

A Magnetic Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application for High-Efficiency Detoxification of Aflatoxin B1

“…In this section, the influences of various conditions on the adsorption capacity of Fe 3 O 4 @rGO for AFB 1 were investigated. First, the optimum pH and temperature were measured with a 1 mg•mL −1 adsorbent dose and 40 mg•L −1 AFB 1 at different pH values (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8) and various temperatures (20-50 • C) with shaking at 150 rpm for 1 h. Then, in the adsorption isotherm study, the AFB 1 adsorption capacity (mg•g −1 ) was assayed based on the optimal adsorption conditions and a series of AFB 1 concentrations (0.02-100 mg•L −1 ). Thereafter, in the adsorption kinetics study, the adsorption amounts were determined at diverse time intervals under given temperatures and AFB 1 concentrations.…”

“…Aflatoxins (AFs), which were first discovered in 1960, are a group of secondary metabolites of the genus Aspergillus , which mainly includes Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus parasiticus , and Aspergillus nomius [ 1 , 2 ]. AFs can be harmful to humans and livestock through inhalation, ingestion, and even skin contact and exhibit cytotoxic, endocrine-disrupting, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects [ 3 , 4 ]. At present, more than 20 types of AFs have been isolated and identified, among which aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is the most common and harmful [ 5 ].…”

Evaluation of Aflatoxins Occurrence and Exposure in Cereal-Based Baby Foods: An Update Review

“…The highest AFB 1 contamination levels were found in maize grain samples. AFB 1 concentration was associated with lower weight for height z scores and weight for age z scores in children [ 26 ]. In summary, high levels of AFB 1 in mothers and children have been linked to stunting and underweight and low birth weight babies.…”

Complex Evaluation of Storage Impact on Maize (Zea mays L.) Quality Using Chromatographic Methods

“…They contribute to the prevention of various diseases by neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body [20,21]. Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1, are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi, such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which can contaminate maize during storage [5,[22][23][24]. Consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated maize can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage and cancer [25][26][27][28].…”