Dietary exposure and liver cancer risk assessment of aflatoxins in foods consumed in Mongolian people / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

ABSTRACT

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven district of the capital city Ulaanbaatar ofMongolia, and border post in Zamiin-Uud, and Altanbulag province from March to December 2015.A total of 380 samples including 70 flours, 114 rice’, 41 various peanuts, 15 maize and maizeproducts, 24 milks, 6 yoghurts, 39 beers, 27 dried fruits and 44 herbal teas were randomly collectedfrom supermarkets, hypermarkets, department stores, factories, and bazaars in Ulaanbaatar city,and Zamiin-Uud, and Altanbulag province.HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)were used for the total aflatoxins (B1+B2) and aflatoxin M1 detection.The survey found that (148) 38.9% of all analysed food samples were contained aflatoxins (B1+B2),and aflatoxin M1 were ranging from 0.0094 μg kg-1to 2.4μg kg-1. The levels of aflatoxins (B1+B2)were below the maximum tolerance limit in EU and worldwide regulations. Mean concentrationlevel of aflatoxins (B1+B2) was 0.17 μg kg-1 in all positive samples. Mean daily low and high foodintake were respectively, 63 g and 245 g. Based on the daily food consumption data, estimatedexposure dose of aflatoxins (B1+B2) was 0.16734 mg kg-1bw day-1 in individuals with a daily low foodintake, and 0.65078 mg kg-1bw day-1 in individuals with a daily high food intake (95th percentile). Theexposure dose of aflatoxins from daily high food intake exceeds the estimated provisional maximumtolerable daily intakes, 0.4 μg kg-1 body weight day-1 for adults with hepatitis B (Kuiper-Goodman,1998). Furthermore, estimated excess cancer risk values to liver cancer incidence by ingestion ofthese foods for aflatoxins (B1+B2) and aflatoxin M1were calculated to be 0.0448 mg kg-1bw day-1forindividuals negative for hepatitis Band 1.344 mg kg-1bw day-1 for individuals positive for hepatitis B.Thus, the findings of our survey showed that the potential hazard associated with aflatoxin in foodin Mongolia has not been serious. However, most researchers suggested that no level of aflatoxinexposure is considered safe.Conclusion: Currently, the levels of the total aflatoxins and aflatoxin M1 were lower than the maximumpermissible levels in UE and the USFDA, and worldwide regulations. Currently, estimated exposuredose of the total aflatoxins and M1aflatoxin through daily high food intake was risked in populationwith hepatitis B virus. However, in Mongolian population has not been excess liver cancer risk.