Exposure assessment and risk characterization of aflatoxins intake through consumption of maize (Zea mays) in different age populations in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination in foods is a vital health challenge for low and middle-income countries in subtropical regions. Maize (Zea mays L.), a staple food most widely grown in Africa including Ghana, and extensively consumed as much as three times per day, is a source of aflatoxin contamination owing to its susceptibility to fungal infection. Aflatoxin levels were checked against international (European Commission, EC) and local (Ghana Standards Authority, GSA) standards, and health risks associated with maize sampled from the Volta Region (Hohoe, Ho, Battor Dugame, and Keta) of Ghana were determined. Total aflatoxins (totalAFs) and the constituent aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) were measured with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a Fluorescence Detector (FLD). Intake and Risk assessments were also conducted using deterministic models prescribed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Additives (JECFA). The degree of occurrence of aflatoxins was observed to be in decreasing order of AFG2 < AFG1 < AFB2 < AFB1 and were within the ranges of 0.78 ± 0.04 $$-$$ - 234.73 ± 3.8 µg/kg, 0.47 ± 0.03 $$-$$ - 21.6 ± 0.33 µg/kg, 1.01 ± 0.05 $$-$$ - 13.75 ± 1.2 µg/kg and 0.66 ± 0.06 $$-$$ - 5.51 ± 0.26 µg/kg respectively. Out of the 100 samples analyzed for total aflatoxins (totalAFs), 68 (68%) exceeded the limits of EC and were of range 4.98 ± 0.6 $$-$$ - 445.01 ± 8.9 µg/kg whereas 58 (58%) and ranged between 12.12 ± 1.4 $$-$$ - 445.01 ± 8.9 µg/kg exceeded GSA limits. Intake and risk assessments of total aflatoxins (totalAFs) for infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults in the Volta Region were; 0.037–1.14 µg/kg bw/day, 0.35–10.81, and 1.47 -45.14 cases/10,000 person/yr respectively for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Margin of Exposure (MOE), and Cancer Risks. It was inferred that the consumption of maize posed potential adverse health effects on all age categories studied because all calculated MOE values were less than 10,000.

Analysis and Health Risk Evaluation of Aflatoxin B1 Levels in Groundnut (Arachis hypogea ) and Maize (Zea mays ) Samples from Wukari, Nigeria

“…The MOE values found in this study are comparable to those reported in some African countries; Studies from Kenya, Botswana, Gambia and Tanzania reported MOE values of 6.5, 37.8, 621.7 and 202 respectively (Shephard et al, 2008). Similarly AFB1 Margin of Exposure (MOE) values of 6.80, and 6.75 for children and adults were recorded for a study on maize consumption in Ghana (Kortei et al, 2022). Exposure assessment and estimated cancer risk due to consumption of maize grains from related studies in Nigeria showed much higher risk than the current study; MOE values in the range of 0.01-0.54 and 0.02 -1.30 were reported for children and adult groups respectively in a study on risk assessment of mycotoxins in stored maize grains consumed by infants and young children in Nigeria (Adetunji et al, 2017).…”

Incidences of aflatoxin contaminations in ingredients, feed and products of poultry from two regions in Ghana

“…[ 25 ] investigated aflatoxins in commercial poultry feed in Cameroon and reported aflatoxins levels ranging from 2 to 42 μg/kg for maize, which is similar to total aflatoxin levels of 2.5–54.26 μg/kg recorded for maize in the present study. Also [ 21 ], reported total aflatoxins levels of 1.89 − 444.01 μg/kg for maize sampled from Volta region, Ghana. In addition [ 29 ], investigated aflatoxin prevalence in maize sampled from different ecological zones in Ghana and reported total aflatoxins ranging from 1 to 341 μg/kg for maize.…”

“…Nakavuma et al [ 20 ] evaluated the knowledge of mycotoxins and the incidence of aflatoxins in chicken diets and feed components in various locations of Uganda, they reported a total aflatoxin concentration ranging from 6.79 to 412.59 g/kg. More recently [ 21 ] investigated aflatoxin levels in maize sampled from Volta region in Ghana and reported total aflatoxins level ranging from 1.89 to 444.01 μg/kg. Also [ 22 ], reported total aflatoxins level of 1.0–4.61 μg/kg for wheat bran.…”

The Menace of Aflatoxin: Understanding the Effects of Contamination by Aspergillus Species on Crops and Human Health and Advancements in Managing These Toxic Metabolites

“…Of the 100 samples analyzed for total aflatoxins (total AFs), 68 (68%) exceeded the limits set by the EC, with concentration ranges of 4.98 ± 0.6-445.01 ± 8.9 μg/kg. Similarly, 58 (58%) of the samples exceeded the limits set by GSA, with concentration ranges of 12.12 ± 1.4-445.01 ± 8.9 μg/kg [26].…”