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Maternal dietary habits and mycotoxin occurrence in human mature milk

Fabio Galvano1, Amedeo Pietri, Terenzio Bertuzzi

  • 1STAFA Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy. fgalvano@unict.it

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|March 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Ochratoxin A (OTA) was found in 74% of Italian human milk samples, with higher levels linked to maternal diets rich in bread and cured meats. Dietary guidance may help reduce infant exposure to this mycotoxin.

Area of Science:

  • Food Science
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA), can contaminate human milk.
  • Maternal diet is a potential source of mycotoxin exposure for infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence and levels of AFM1 and OTA in Italian human mature milk.
  • To explore the relationship between maternal dietary habits and mycotoxin contamination in breast milk.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of 82 human mature milk samples from Italian hospitals in 2006.
  • Analysis of AFM1 and OTA using immunoaffinity column extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Main Results:

  • AFM1 was detected in 5% of samples (mean 55.35 ng/L).
  • OTA was detected in 74% of samples (mean 30.43 ng/L).
  • Higher OTA levels were significantly associated with habitual consumption of bread, bakery products, and cured pork meat.

Conclusions:

  • OTA contamination in human milk is linked to maternal dietary patterns.
  • Dietary recommendations for pregnant and lactating women could potentially reduce OTA exposure in infants.

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