Exposure assessment of children to dietary mycotoxins: A pilot study conducted in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Author(s):Show less -

Ali, Sher ; Franco, Bruna Battaglini ; Rezende, Vanessa Theodoro ; Freire, Lucas Gabriel Dionisio ; de Paiva, Esther Lima ; Haikal, Maria Clara Fogacio ; Guerra, Eloiza Leme ; Rosim, Roice Eliana ; Tonin, Fernando Gustavo ; Ferraz, Ivan Savioli ; Del Ciampo, Luiz Antonio ; de Oliveira, Carlos Augusto Fernandes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Food Research International; v. 180, p. 9-pg., 2024-02-09.

Abstract

Exposure to mycotoxins through food is a major health concern, especially for youngsters. This study performed a preliminary investigation on children's exposure to dietary mycotoxins in Ribeira similar to o Preto, Brazil. Sampling procedures were conducted between August and December 2022, to collect foods (N = 213) available for consumption in the households of children (N = 67), including preschoolers (aged 3-6 years, n = 21), schoolers (aged 7-10 years, n = 15), and adolescents (aged 11-17 years, n = 31) cared in the Vila Lobato Community Social Medical Center of Ribeira similar to o Preto. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to determine concentrations of the mycotoxins in foods. Mycotoxins measured in all foods comprised aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Higher incidence and levels were found for FBs, ZEN, and DON in several commonly consumed foods. Furthermore, 32.86 % foods had two to four quantifiable mycotoxins in various combinations. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) values were lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for AFs, FBs, and ZEN, but higher than the TDI (1.0 mu g/kg bw/day) for DON, hence indicating a health risk for all children age groups. Preschoolers and adolescents were exposed to DON through wheat products (EDIs: 2.696 +/- 7.372 and 1.484 +/- 2.395 mu g/kg body weight (bw)/day, respectively), while schoolers were exposed through wheat products (EDI: 1.595 +/- 1.748 mu g/kg bw/day) and rice (EDI: 1.391 +/- 1.876 mu g/kg bw/day). The results indicate that wheat-based foods and rice may be risky to children, implying the need for stringent measures to avoid DON contamination in these products. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/03952-1 - Assessment of infants and young children exposure to dietary mycotoxins in Ribeirão Preto/SP
• Grantee: Sher Ali
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/05066-9 - Assessment of functional yoghurt efficacy to decrease the toxic effects of aflatoxins alone or in combination with fumonisins on piglets
• Grantee: Lucas Gabriel Dionisio Freire
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)