Analysis of Aflatoxin M1 in Breast Milk and Its Association with Nutritional and Socioeconomic Status of Lactating Mothers in Lebanon

Abstract

Aflatoxin B (AFB) is the most potent of the dietary aflatoxins, and its major metabolite, aflatoxin M (AFM), is frequently found in the breast milk of lactating mothers. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and factors associated with AFM contamination of breast milk collected from lactating mothers in Lebanon. A total of 111 breast milk samples were collected according to the guidelines set by the World Health Organization. Samples were analyzed with a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay between December 2015 and November 2016. A survey was used to determine the demographic and anthropometric characteristics of participating lactating mothers. Dietary habits were assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Mean (±standard deviation) concentration of AFM in the breast milk samples was 4.31 ± 1.8 ng/L, and 93.8% of samples contained AFM at 0.2 to 7.9 ng/L. The mean concentration of AFM was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fall and winter (4.1 ± 1.9 ng/L) than in spring and summer (5.0 ± 1.7 ng/L). None of the samples exceeded the European Commission regulation limit (25 ng/L) for infant milk replacement formula. AFM contamination was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the daily consumption of white cheeses but not with the consumption of meat or cereal products. No significant association (P > 0.05) was observed between AFM concentrations in breast milk and anthropometric sociodemographic factors (age and level of education) or the governorate of residence of the nursing mothers. The mean AFM estimated daily intake was found to be 0.69 ng/day/kg of body weight. Although the incidence of AFM contamination was low, our first-of-its-kind study highlights the importance of conducting investigations on mycotoxin contamination in breast milk and of developing protection strategies to tackle the exposure of infants to this potent chemical hazard.

Human Biomonitoring of Selected Hazardous Compounds in Portugal: Part II—Lessons Learned on Mycotoxins

“…The determined incidence rate was comparably higher than in HBM studies performed in Brazil [ 22 ], Iran [ 21 , 29 ], and Turkey [ 30 ]. The average and maximum levels were comparable with studies previously conducted in Cyprus [ 31 ] and Lebanon [ 32 ]. However, the maximum level determined among the Portuguese population was nearly 10 times below the maximum levels registered in studies conducted in Jordan [ 33 ] and Egypt [ 34 ].…”

Gallic acid enhances reproductive function by modulating oxido-inflammatory and apoptosis mediators in rats exposed to aflatoxin-B1

“…8,9 Indeed, AFB1 metabolite known as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is frequently found in milk, samples of cord blood, and colostrum in pregnant women, which signify the possibility of prenatal contact to AFB1 in humans. 10–12 Aflatoxins were reportedly detected in semen samples (40%) obtained from infertility clinics amid a higher chance of sperm anomaly compared with fecund men living within a locality in Nigeria. 13 Moreover, data from experimental animals have demonstrated that AFB1 may be an essential risk factor for male infertility.…”

Aflatoxin exposure among lactating women in southern Ethiopia

“…Studies suggested that the epidemiology of aflatoxin contamination of the food system is liable seasonal and agroecological variations (Elaridi et al., 2017; Kılıç Altun et al., 2017). Aflatoxin contamination tends frequently to occur in warm and humid settings (Wild, 2017), and various seasonal patterns have also been reported (Elaridi et al., 2017; Kılıç Altun et al., 2017). Accordingly, we analyzed the AFB1 contamination of family foods and urinary excretion of AFM 1 among lactating women in Sidama, southern Ethiopia, and compared the levels across different agroecological settings (lowland, midland, and highland) and seasons (wet and dry).…”