Association between Urinary Levels of Aflatoxin and Consumption of Food Linked to Maize or Cow Milk or Dairy Products

Abstract

The aim of this analysis was to assess the association between consumption of maize and dairy products and urine and serum levels of aflatoxin FM1 (AFM1) in a sample of 59 males occupationally exposed (29) and non-exposed (30) to aflatoxins. Two urine samples were collected for each person; each sample was accompanied by a questionnaire on food consumption in the preceding 96 h. Given the similar levels of contamination found in exposed and non-exposed workers, the association between food consumption and AFM1 levels was analyzed by pooling samples from exposed and non-exposed workers. No serum sample was found to be positive for AFM1, whereas 74% of the urine samples were positive; the average concentration of positive samples was 0.042 ng/mL (range < limit of detection (LoD) (0.002)–0.399 ng/mL). Of the 21 samples from maize consumers, 13 were positive for AFM1 (62%), with a mean concentration of 0.026 ng/mL (range 0.006–0.088 ng/mL), while 76% (74/94) of the samples from maize non-consumers were positive (mean 0.045, range < LoD (0.002)–0.399 ng/mL). No association was found with milk or dairy products. The high urine level of aflatoxins found in both exposed and non-exposed workers was not associated with the consumption of maize or cow milk products.

Assessment of aflatoxin exposure using urine biomarker in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Yazd, Center of Iran

“…The results of a cohort study done in Bangladesh indicated that the urinary AFM 1 level had a direct correlation with the consumption of rice (P = 0.09) (32). Ferri et al observed a significant association between the excretion of AFM 1 and consumption of rice products (45). Interestingly, the present study not only showed no significant association between the meat consumption and the excretion of AFM 1 , but also showed that the people who had consumed meat had excreted lower AFM 1 .…”

“…If it is assumed that the average total AF in rice is 9.56 μg kg -1 , and 30% of it is eliminated in cooking process, each person receives 11.9-31.8 ng kg -1 b.w of AF by daily consumption of rice (43). More than 50% of the rice consumed in Iran, especially imported rice, is contaminated with AFs (10,44). The results of the present research revealed that there was a significant association between the rice consumption (P = 0.01) and, type of consumed rice (P = 0.02) with the excretion of AFM 1 .…”

Aflatoxin exposure in a population of HIV patients at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma North-Central, Nigeria

“…Some studies have demonstrated a relationship between urinary aflatoxin levels and dietary exposure. 6 , 17 Although we only quantified acute exposure from urine samples in this study and not diet, it is plausible that the source of exposure may be dietary. Compared to other studies in other regions of Africa with a similar aflatoxin burden, our study showed a similar high burden of exposure.…”

New perspectives in application of kidney biomarkers in mycotoxin induced nephrotoxicity, with a particular focus on domestic pigs

“…Combined measurement of biomarkers of effect and biomarkers of exposure would provide a more precise diagnosis. A number of recent studies in humans have measured urinary aflatoxin to determine exposure in at risk populations (Ezekiel et al, 2018;Ferri et al, 2020;Nasir et al, 2021). Although, this would not prove that the mycotoxin caused the renal The effects of AFs and OTA depend on their accumulation in particular organs or tissues.…”