Aflatoxins in human breast milk

Area of Science:

• Food Safety
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by certain molds.
• Contamination of food supplies with aflatoxins is a global health issue.
• Breast milk can be a route of exposure to mycotoxins for infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze Sudanese breast milk for the presence of aflatoxins.
• To determine the levels and types of aflatoxins excreted in breast milk.
• To investigate potential correlations between aflatoxin presence and maternal/infant factors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 99 breast milk samples from Sudanese mothers using chromatography.
• Detection and quantification of aflatoxins M1 and M2.
• Analysis of aflatoxin presence in maternal adipose tissue and blood samples.

Main Results:

• Aflatoxins M1 and/or M2 were detected in 37% of breast milk samples.
• Individual aflatoxin M1 and M2 were found, with mean concentrations of 19.0 pg/ml and 12.2 pg/ml, respectively.
• Aflatoxins were not detected in adipose tissue but were present in 3 of 14 maternal blood samples.

Conclusions:

• Sudanese mothers can excrete aflatoxins in breast milk at levels comparable to or exceeding safety limits for animal milk.
• The presence of aflatoxins in breast milk did not correlate with lactation duration, infant nutrition, or maternal/infant blood/urine levels.
• Findings highlight a potential risk to infants consuming contaminated breast milk in Sudan.