Mycotoxin occurrence in breast milk and exposure estimation of lactating mothers using urinary biomarkers in Sao Paulo, Brazil

In this study, the occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FBs), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) and some of their metabolites were assessed in breast milk and urine of lactating women (N = 74) from Pirassununga, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Exposure estimations through urinary mycotoxin biomarkers was also performed. Samples were collected in four sampling times (May and August 2018, February and July 2019) and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was not detected in breast milk. However, two samples (3%) pre-sented FB1 at 2200 and 3400 ng/L, while 4 samples (5%) had OTA at the median level of 360 ng/L. In urine, AFM(1) and aflatoxin P-1 (AFP1) were found in 51 and 11% of samples, respectively (median levels: 0.16 and 0.07 ng/mg creatinine, respectively). Urinary DON (median level: 38.59 ng/mg creatinine), OTA (median level: 2.38 ng/mg creatinine) and ZEN (median level: 0.02 ng/mg of creatinine) were quantified in 18, 8 and 10% of the samples, respectively. Mean probable daily intake (PDI) values based on urinary biomarkers were 1.58, 1.09, 5.07, and 0.05 mu g/kg body weight/day for AFM(1), DON, OTA, and ZEN, respectively. Although a low mycotoxin occurrence was detected in breast milk, the PDI for the genotoxic AFs was much higher than those reported previously in Brazil, while PDI values obtained for OTA and DON were higher than recommended tolerable daily intakes. These outcomes warrant concern on the exposure of lactating women to these mycotoxins in the studied area. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found low occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk of lactating women in Pirassununga, Brazil, but higher exposure levels of aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A in urine, leading to probable daily intake exceeding recommended values. These results raise concerns about the exposure of lactating women to these mycotoxins in the studied area.