Assessment of aflatoxin intake in São Paulo, Brazil

In this study, the aflatoxin consumption was assessed by aflatoxin determination in peanut, corn, bean, milk and derivatives collected directly from home of residents of Pirassununga Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) answered by volunteers. Samples were collected four times every three month, totaling 240 samples from 34 volunteers who answered the FFQs. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1 were determined by high performance liquid chromatography using a previous validated method with immunoaffinity column clean-up. Thirty-five percent of peanut samples tested positive for aflatoxin (AFB1 + AFB2 + AFG1 + AFG2) at levels of 0.05-36.7 μg kg−1. Corn derivatives showed 42% positive samples for aflatoxins (0.05-8.3 μg kg−1), with a higher incidence in corn meal. Bean samples had the highest incidence of aflatoxins (75% positive samples), but at lower levels (0.025-0.042 μg kg−1). Forty percent of fluid milk samples tested positive for AFM1 at concentrations from 0.009 to 0.069 μg L−1. AFM1 was quantified in 30% of positive cheese at levels from 0.091 to 0.30 μg kg−1. Yoghurt samples had no detectable levels of AFM1. Aflatoxin intake was calculated considering the aflatoxin concentration values in the food products and the individual FFQ results. Peanut products had the highest contribution to aflatoxin intake, with mean probable daily intake (PDI) of 1.56 ng kg−1 body weight (b.w.) day−1. Milk was the main source of AFM1 in the diet of individuals, which PDI values ranged from up to 0.10 ng kg−1 b.w. day−1. Although low levels of aflatoxin were found in all types of samples, the consumption data reported indicate that the food products evaluated may contribute significantly for the overall human exposure in the population studied.

► Aflatoxins were determined in 240 samples of peanut, corn, bean and milk products. ► Levels of aflatoxins in peanut, corn and beans ranged from 0.1 to 8.5 ng g−1 ► AFM1 was detected in fluid milk and dairy products at levels of 0.03-0.22 ng g−1 ► Mean PDI of aflatoxin estimated by FFQ and foods analyzed was 1.58 ng kg−1 b.w. day−1. ► For AFM1, PDI estimated by FFQ and dairy products evaluated was 0.14 ng kg−1 b.w. day−1.