Simultaneous occurrence of mycotoxins in human food commodities from Cameroon

Abstract

Eighty-two samples of dried food commodities from Cameroon were screened and quantified for different mycotoxins, including fumonisin B1 (FB1), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), aflatoxin (AF) and ochratoxin A (OTA), by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. The percentage of positive samples was as follows: FB1 41%, AF 51%, ZEA 57%, DON 65% and OTA 3%. High FB1 contents were found in maize, averaging 3,684 µg/kg (range: 37-24,225 µg/kg), whereas the highest average ZEA level was found in peanuts (70 µg/kg), followed by maize (69 µg/kg), rice (67 µg/kg) and beans (48 µg/kg) with no ZEA was detected in soybeans. DON contents were low, ranging from 13 to 273 µg/kg, and for AF the average content was 2.6 µg/kg with peanuts and maize as principal substrates. The incidence of OTA was low, with a mean level of 6.4 µg/kg recorded. The majority (79%) of samples contained more than one mycotoxin and the most frequent co-occurrence found was FB1 + ZEA + DON, detected in 21% of samples (mainly maize) analysed. Co-contamination with FB1 + ZEA + DON + AF was found in 11% of the samples. Although a large proportion of samples had fairly low levels of individual mycotoxins, this should be of concern as the co-occurrence of mycotoxins may generate additive or synergistic effect in humans, especially if the respective commodities are consumed almost on a daily basis.

Multimycotoxin analysis in urines to assess infant exposure: A case study in Cameroon

“…While FB 1 , AFB 1 , DON, and ZEN (in that order) are said to be the most frequent contaminants in cereals from SSA (e.g. maize) (Njobeh et al, 2010), AFB 1 is a common contaminant in peanuts and cassava products. OTA is more of a contaminant in peanut products (Njumbe Ediage et a1., 2011) than in products derived from the other two food matrices (maize and cassava flour).…”

“…Furthermore, dietary aflatoxin exposure of West African children has been linked primarily to consumption of contaminated maize and peanuts (Njobeh et al, 2010;Allen et al, 1992).…”

Comparative Analysis of Mycotoxigenic Fungi and Mycotoxins Contaminating Soya Bean Seeds and Processed Soya Bean from Nigerian Markets

“…Following the methods of Njobeh et al [25] and Egbuta et al [26], extraction and clean-up of mycotoxins (AFs, OTA, ZEA, DON and NIV) from all food samples was done. Two fractions of mycotoxin extracts-Neutral and Acid fractions were extracted from each sample and stored at −8˚C for further analysis.…”

Aflatoxin and Fumonisin in Corn Production Chain in Bafia, Centre Cameroon: Impact of Processing Techniques

“…A positive correlation between storage duration and fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ) levels in maize samples from the rainforest and the highland regions of Cameroon was previously established by [3]. Njobeh et al [4] showed the simultaneous occurrence of mycotoxins in foods marketed in selected regions in this country, while it has been demonstrated that human exposure to aflatoxins is a potential risk factor to increase incidence of malnutrition and cancer [5]. Furthermore,…”