Mycotoxin Co-Occurrence in Milks and Exposure Estimation: A Pilot Study in Sao Paulo, Brazil

The aim of this study was to conduct a first evaluation on the co-occurrence of aflatoxins (AF) M-1, B-1, B-2, G(1) and G(2); fumonisins (F) B-1 and B-2; deoxynivalenol (DON); de-epoxydeoxinivalenol (DOM-1); ochratoxin A (OTA); zearalenone (ZEN); alpha-zearalenol (alpha-ZEL); and beta-zearalenol (beta-ZEL) in 68 samples of fluid milk consumed in Pirassununga, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The probable daily intake (PDI) was also calculated for each mycotoxin evaluated. Mycotoxins were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Sixty-two (91.2%) samples contained at least one type of mycotoxin. AFM(1) was found in 6 samples (8.8%), and none of them presented concentrations above the Brazilian maximum permitted level in milk (500 ng/L). Low levels of non-regulated mycotoxins DOM-1, OTA, FB1, FB2, alpha-ZEL and beta-ZEL were found in 6 (8.8%), 17 (25%), 10 (14.7%), 3 (4.4%), 39 (57.4%) and 28 (41.2%) samples of milk, respectively. None of the PDIs calculated for the quantified mycotoxins were above recommended values, indicating low exposure through milk consumption in the area studied. However, 21 samples (30.9%) contained 2-4 types of mycotoxins, which warrants concern about the potential adverse effects of mycotoxin mixtures in milks.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in fluid milk consumed in Pirassununga, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Most samples contained at least one type of mycotoxin without exceeding the Brazilian maximum permitted level. Calculated probable daily intake levels indicated low exposure to mycotoxins through milk consumption, but the presence of multiple mycotoxins in some samples warrants concern.