Aflatoxins in cereals: worldwide occurrence and dietary risk assessment

Abstract

The worldwide occurrence of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2), genotoxic mycotoxins, in raw maize, rice, sorghum and wheat samples collected since the year 2000 was evaluated using published data and occurrence data from the GEMS/Food database (https://extranet.who.int/gemsfood). Dietary risk assessments were conducted using GEMS/Food total aflatoxin occurrence and food consumption data obtained from the 17 Cluster Diets. Risk characterisation arising from aflatoxin exposure was conducted using both cancer risk and margin of exposure (MOE) approaches. A total of 89 publications were retrieved from the literature, reporting data related to 18,097 samples, of which 37.6% were positive for at least one aflatoxin. The total upper bound (UB) mean for all samples analysed was 13.6 μg/kg, and was higher for rice (24.6 μg/kg) and sorghum (25.9 μg/kg). Of data related to the analysis of 4,536 samples reported to GEMS/Food database, 12.7% were positive for at least one aflatoxin. The total UB mean was 1.9 μg/kg, and was higher for rice (2.4 μg/kg) and maize (1.6 μg/kg). Total intakes ranged from 3.0 ng/kg bw/day (Cluster C11) to 17.1 ng/kg bw/day (Cluster C09). On average, the consumption of rice contributed to 41.6% of the total aflatoxin intake in all clusters, followed by wheat (35.4%), maize (21.2%) and sorghum (1.8%). The lowest cancer risk was found in cluster C11 (0.057 cancers/year/105 individuals), and the highest in cluster C09 (0.467 cancers/year/105 individuals). MOE ranged from 56 (C11) to 10 (C09), indicating a potential risk to consumers. These results highlight the need for continuous action by health authorities to decrease aflatoxin contamination in cereals, as they are staple foods in diets worldwide. These actions include the enforcement of code of practices at the national level and the establishment of maximum contamination levels by the Codex System.

Overview on the Mycotoxins Incidence in Serbia in the Period 2004–2016

“…The overall prevalence of AFs in Serbian cereals for the investigated period was considerably higher than the global prevalence reported by Andrade & Caldas [55]. Based on the review from these authors the global AFs prevalence in cereals for the 2000−2015 period was 37.6% ( n = 18,097), with maize accounting for 54.3% of the samples.…”

Human Microglial Cells Undergo Proapoptotic Induction and Inflammatory Activation upon in vitro Exposure to a Naturally Occurring Level of Aflatoxin B₁

“…In recent years, public health monitoring has been continuously evolving to eliminate the occurrence of even low levels of aflatoxins in common food or feed; however, this has been unsuccessful and it seems that a low amount is unavoidable [25, 26]. With exposure to the toxin, due to the lipophilic nature of AFB 1 , it can easily enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.…”

Aflatoxinas en Alimentos Y Exposición Dietaria Como Factor De Riesgo Para El Carcinoma Hepatocelular

“…En promedio, el consumo de arroz contribuyó al 41,6% de la ingesta total de aflatoxinas en todos los grupos evaluados, seguido del trigo (35,4%), el maíz (21,2%) y el sorgo (1,8%). El resultado obtenido según el MOE (rango entre 56 y 10) indicó un riesgo potencial para los consumidores (75).…”