Serum aflatoxin levels of the healthy adult population living in the north and south regions of Turkey

Abstract

Objective: To determine the serum concentrations of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ), aflatoxin B 2 (AFB 2 ), aflatoxin G 1 (AFG 1 ) and aflatoxin G 2 (AFG 2 ) in the healthy adult population living in both the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions of Turkey and to investigate the regional, seasonal and gender variability in aflatoxins (AF) exposure in these regions. Design: Serum AFB 1 , AFB 2 , AFG 1 and AFG 2 concentrations were analysed by HPLC. Settings: In total, four hundred and eighty-four serum samples were analysed. Subjects: Four hundred and eighty-four healthy adult volunteers living in rural areas of the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions of Turkey were studied. Results: The mean serum concentration of total AF in the Black Sea region was 1?33 ppb (min-max 0?15-3?38 ppb) and 0?90 ppb (min-max 0?18-2?48 ppb) for summer and winter, respectively. In the Mediterranean region, the mean serum concentration of total AF was determined as 0?55 ppb (range 0?04-1?72 ppb) for summer and 0?45 ppb (range 0?12-1?43 ppb) for winter. The total AF concentrations in serum samples were statistically higher in summer compared with winter for the two regions. The differences between the regions were statistically significant concerning all samples, with higher total AF concentrations in the Black Sea region. Conclusions: The overall results suggest that the Turkish population living in these two regions is continuously exposed to AF, particularly in the summer, and that mycotoxin contamination in food should be monitored routinely for food safety and human health.

Aflatoxin levels in chronic hepatitis B patients with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in Balıkesir, Turkey

“…The detection of AF B2, AF G1 and AFG2 subtypes, determined at low levels in food, has not been confirmed as a sensitive method in blood for exposure. There are a few studies in literature demonstrating the AF levels directly in biological samples . Corcuera et al .…”

“…The detection of AF B2, AF G1 and AFG2 subtypes, determined at low levels in food, has not been confirmed as a sensitive method in blood for exposure. There are a few studies in literature demonstrating the AF levels directly in biological samples [12,23,35]. Corcuera et al [36] reported that the level of AFB 1 in plasma from rats given a single dose of 0.25 mg/ kg of AFB 1 by oral gavage was 24.8 ng/mL and 9.5 ng/ mL at 10 min and 30 min, respectively.…”

“…Due to their frequent occurrence and severe toxicity, guidelines and tolerance levels of AFs have been set in several countries including Turkey . Turkey has encountered AFs contamination in different foods , and healthy Turkish adults living in some regions of Turkey have been reported to be continuously exposed to AFs, particularly in the summer .…”

Aflatoxin levels in maize and peanut and blood in women and children: The case of Timor-Leste

“…and 39.1 for both rural and peri-urban samples, respectively. Most of the other selected developing countries such as Brazil 42 , Kenya 43 , Ghana 44 , Egypt 45 , Malaysia 46 and Turkey 47 had lower geometric means than in Gambia; but such means were all greater than the means for both children and mothers/adults from Timor-Leste. Among the selected countries Timor-Leste only shows a geometric mean slightly greater than those of developed countries - USA (0 pg mg −1 ) and Canada (non-detectable) 48 ; and France and Poland (0 pg mg −1 ) 45 .…”

“…in children and adults/mothers blood samples in this study and selected countries.CountryChild/AdultRange of agePositive samples (%)Geo. mean Afla-alb levelBenin & Togo 37 Children9 to 60 mth9932.8Brazil 45 n/an/a6210.7Canada 48 n/an/a(nd) 0(nd) 0Egypt 45 Adult (male/female36 to 74 yrs675France & Poland 45 n/an/a0/74 (0)0Ghana 44 Adult/mother14 to 48 yrs405Guinea 40 Children2 to 5 yrs969.9Kenya 43 Pregnant/with child >24 mthn/an/a7.5Malaysia 46 Adult male/female18 to 85 yrs974.5Tanzania 38 Children12 to 22 mth8412.9The Gambia 3,39,41 Adult (male/female) Rural<15 to >35 yrs10061.8Mothern/a10040.4Adult (male/female) Peri urban<15 to >35 yrs98.839.1Children1.4 yrs1110.1Timor-LesteAdult (non-pregnant)14 to 60 yrs810.98Children6 to 59 mth830.64Turkey 47 Adult (male/female)17 to 64861.1USA 48 n/an/a1.20.3n/a, non-available; nd, non-detectable.…”