Assessment of Human Pre-Natal Exposure to Mycotoxins in Ribeirão Preto/SP

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that occur naturally in foodstuffs, which can cause a large variety of toxic effects on vertebrates, including humans. The fact that some mycotoxins are carcinogenic and could be transferred to fetus during pregnacy constitutes a serious human and animal health threat, mainly in this period of high physiological vulnerability. The objective of this project is to assess de pre-natal exposure of pregnant women to dietary mycotoxins in Ribeirão Preto/SP, using mycotoxin biomarkers in fetus' tissues. Postmortem examinations will be performed at the Pathology Service of the University Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School. Liver and blood samples from premature newborns and stillbirths will be collected, to comprise the minimum number of patients in the study of 40. The research protocol was submitted and approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (Review no. 5.545.079). Mycotoxin biomarkers in samples will be analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).