Ochratoxin A levels in human milk and related food samples: an exposure assessment

Nat Toxins. 1995;3(6):436-44. doi: 10.1002/nt.2620030606.

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OA) is a mycotoxin detected in a variety of food and feeds mostly from countries with temperate or continental climate, because the fungi that produce it, mainly Aspergillus ochraceus, Penicillium verrucosum, and Penicillium viridicatum, can grow under a great variety of climate conditions. The aim of this article was, firstly, to confirm the occurrence of OA in human milk in Italy. Then, a preliminary calculation of OA intake via human milk was made, from ingested food. For this investigation, food and milk samples were collected, continuously for a week, from 4 lactating mothers. The obtained results revealed a significant exposure of sucklings and mothers to OA levels higher than the tolerable daily intake as estimated from animal models. On the basis of these data, a major effort in planning surveillance and research programs to control OA contamination in food, feed, and biological fluids should be pursued.

MeSH terms

  • Beer / analysis
  • Diet
  • Edible Grain / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Food / analysis
  • Italy
  • Meat / analysis
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • Mycotoxins / analysis*
  • Ochratoxins / analysis*

Substances

  • Mycotoxins
  • Ochratoxins
  • ochratoxin A