Aflatoxin M1 exposure in a fermented millet-based milk beverage ‘brukina’ and its cancer risk characterization in Greater Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Brukina is a millet based fermented milk product which is consumed as a beverage in Ghana. It is however prone to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination, which is a serious health challenge for low and middle-income countries in subtropical regions. This study aimed at evaluating AFM1 levels and cancer risks associated with brukina (n = 150) sampled from different locations of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. AFM1 were measured with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) connected to a Fluorescence Detector (FLD).Cancer risk assessments were also conducted using models prescribed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Additives (JECFA). Out of the 150 samples analyzed for AFM1, 80/150 (53%) tested positive between the range 0.00 ± 0.001–3.14 ± 0.77 µg/kg. Cancer risk assessments of AFM1 produced outcomes which ranged between 0.64 and 1.88 ng/kg bw/day, 0.31–9.40, 0.0323, and 1.94 × 10–3–0.06 for cases/100,000 person/yr for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Index (H.I), Average Potency, and Cancer Risks respectively for all age categories investigated. It was concluded that the consumption of brukina posed adverse health effects on the majority of the age categories in the different locations of Greater Accra Region since the calculated H.Is were greater than one (> 1). Therefore, contamination of brukina with AFM1 should be considered a high priority in public health and Ghana’s cancer risk management actions.

Climate change-induced shifts in the food systems and diet-related non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review and a conceptual framework

“…Seven studies were published in the 2020s, 38–42 44 45 two in the 2010s 43 47 and one in the 1990s. 46 Three studies were conducted in Kenya, 39 40 47 two in Ghana, 42 45 with one study each in Cameroon, 43 Malawi, 44 Sudan, 46 Tanzania 41 and Zimbabwe, 38 as shown in table 1 .…”

“…AF contamination was reported in maize, 38 41 small grains (finger millet, pearl millet, sorghum), 38 milk, 47 peanuts 46 and burkina—a millet-based fermented milk beverage. 42 …”

“… 46 A study conducted in four agroecological zones in Kenya found that AF exposure from milk was associated with minimal incidence of liver cancer. 47 Consumption of small grains 38 41 46 and milk consumption posed low liver cancer risks 47 while maize 38 and burkina 42 consumption presented high risks. Peanuts also showed an increased risk of liver cancer, particularly in humid conditions.…”

“…Ten studies met our inclusion criteria, [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] including eight quantitative 38 40-44 46 47 and two qualitative studies. 39 45 The majority of studies used cross-sectional design (n=8).…”

Survey of knowledge, and attitudes to storage practices preempting the occurrence of filamentous fungi and mycotoxins in some Ghanaian staple foods and processed products

“… Cyclopiazonic acid Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. Penicillinic acid Patulin Cereals Aflatoxins A.flavus 69 , 70 Peanut/groundnuts Aflatoxins A.flavus 71 – 74 Raw cow milk Aflatoxin M1 A. flavus 75 – 77 ‘Brukina’ (fermented millet based milk beverage) Aflatoxin M1 A. flavus 78 ‘Wagashie’ (traditional soft cottage cheese) Aflatoxin M1 A. flavus 79 Aqueous extract of fruit of pepper, okra, tomato Aflatoxins A. flavus 80 Millet Aflatoxins 81 Seasoning powder spices N.D A. flavus, Penicillium spp 43 Spice and spice products N.D A. flavus, Penicillium spp 45 Kebab spice mix Aflatoxins Miscellaneous including A. flavus 46 Spices and herbs Aflatoxins Miscellaneous including A.flavus and Fusarium sp ...…”