Assessment of human exposure to aflatoxins in foods by evaluating some biomarkers in residents of rural areas in Pirassununga/SP

Abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by the secondary metabolism of several species of filamentous fungi, which can contaminate foods before and after processing, leading to serious problems to the food quality and Public Health. The exposure to mycotoxins occurs predominantly through the ingestion of contaminated food, mainly cereals and by-products, like corn, peanuts and others. Aflatoxins are one of the main groups of mycotoxins of worldwide occurrence which have been frequently reported in Brazil. There is a need for studies in Brazil to evaluate the applicability of biomarkers for human exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Therefore, the project aims to evaluate the exposure of humans to AFB1 through food consumption, by measuring the aflatoxin concentration in the diet and also through the determination of biomarkers in urine and serum samples. To this end, sampling will be arranged in a group of 24 individuals selected from 8 families living at a University of Sao Paulo Campus. AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 e AFG2 will be analyzed in peanuts, corn and by-products consumed by these individuals as well as AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 e AFG2 and metabolites AFM1, AFP1, AFQ1, AFB1-N7-guanine determined in urine samples and adduct AFB1-lisin in serum. Data will be statistically evaluated to assess the correlation between consumption of contaminated food by individuals and aflatoxin residues and metabolites concentrations in urine. Based on data obtained it is expected to quantify the exposure of the individuals evaluated to AFB1 through the diet.