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Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 in human breast milk in Rafsanjan, Iran
Somayeh Pourtalebi1,2, Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi3, Zahra Assadollahi4,5
1Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Background And Purpose:
Aflatoxins (AFs) are a group of highly toxic mycotoxins present both in the environment and in foodstuffs. The food of infants should be safe and free of various pollutants, including breast milk mycotoxins. This study aimed to measure the mycotoxin of Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in human milk samples obtained from lactating mothers living in Rafsanjan city, Iran.
Materials And Methods:
In the current cross-sectional study, breast milk samples were collected from 150 lactating mothers in Rafsanjan city from September 2015 to April 2016 using the structured food-frequency questionnaire. The AFM1 was measured by employing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific kits. The statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software (version 16).
Results:
The AFM1 was detected in 98 mothers (65%) with a mean concentration of 14.69±8.15 ng/kg, ranging from 5.02 to 41.25 ng/kg. The AFM1 concentration exceeded the tolerable and accepted limit promulgated by the European Union and the USA (25 ng/kg) in only 10 milk samples. Moreover, in 59 milk samples, the AFM1 concentration exceeded the limit recommended by Australia and Switzerland (10 ng/kg).
Conclusion:
According to the results of the present study, lactating mothers and their infants are at risk of AFM1 exposure in southern Iran. Accordingly, the examination of AFM1 concentrations in lactating mothers, as a critical postnatal exposure marker of infants to this carcinogenic compound, requires further studies in various seasonal periods and different parts of Iran.
Insights
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was detected in 65% of breast milk samples from Iranian mothers, indicating a risk to infants. Further studies are needed to assess seasonal and regional variations in AFM1 exposure.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic mycotoxins found in the environment and food.
- Infant nutrition requires protection from environmental pollutants like breast milk mycotoxins.
- Human milk contamination by mycotoxins poses a risk to infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) levels in human milk from lactating mothers in Rafsanjan, Iran.
- To assess infant exposure risk to AFM1 through breast milk.
- To compare detected AFM1 concentrations with international safety limits.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 150 lactating mothers in Rafsanjan, Iran (September 2015 - April 2016).
- Breast milk samples collected and analyzed for AFM1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.
- Data analyzed using SPSS software (version 16).
Main Results:
- AFM1 detected in 98 mothers (65%), with a mean concentration of 14.69±8.15 ng/kg.
- Concentrations ranged from 5.02 to 41.25 ng/kg.
- 59 samples exceeded the 10 ng/kg limit (Australia/Switzerland), and 10 exceeded the 25 ng/kg limit (EU/USA).
Conclusions:
- Lactating mothers and infants in southern Iran face a risk of AFM1 exposure.
- Maternal AFM1 levels serve as a critical indicator of infant exposure to this carcinogen.
- Further research is recommended across different seasons and regions in Iran.
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