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Aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk and associated hepatocellular carcinoma risk among dairy farming households in Malawi

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Abstract

In the present study, a total of 112 raw milk samples were collected between October and December of 2018 from dairy farming households in Malawi and analyzed for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) using VICAM aflatest fluorometry procedure. These data together with the consumption data obtained through a milk consumption frequency questionnaire were used for the calculation of AFM1 exposure and its association with hepatocarcinoma (HCC) risk in dairy farming population. Average daily milk intake by children and adults were approximately 300 ± 0.07 and 541.7 ± 0.14 mL, respectively. All raw milk samples tested positive to AFM1 averaging 0.551 μg/L. Probable mean daily exposure to AFM1 for adults was 4.98 ± 7.25 ng/kg BW/day almost half that of children (8.28 ± 11.82 ng/kg BW/day). Estimated risk of AFM1-induced HCC associated with consumption of milk among children and adults were 0.038 and 0.023 cases per 100,000 individuals per year, respectively. Although the results of this investigation suggest a low risk of HCC, other negative health effects of AFM1 justify its continuous monitoring and update of the risk assessment. This work presents the first insight in the occurrence of AFM1 in cow milk in Malawi as well as associated AFM1 exposure in dairy farming population.

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Abbreviations

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

AFM1 :

Aflatoxin M1

AFB1 :

Aflatoxin B1

BW:

Body weight

AEZ:

Agroecological zone

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

FAO:

Food and Agriculture Organization

WHO:

World Health Organization

JECFA:

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

HBsAg+:

hepatitis B surface antigen–positive

HBsAg:

hepatitis B surface antigen–negative

ALARA:

as low as reasonably achievable levels

USAID:

United State Agency for International Development

BHEARD:

Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development

EFSA:

European Food Safety Authority

CEC:

Commission of the European Communities

EC:

European Commission

FDA:

US Food and Drug Administration

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the support rendered by Chitedze Laboratory technicians in Malawi during AFM1 analysis in milk samples.

Funding

This work has been done with funds from USAID through Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) under the Master Research Agreement #RC102095 and LSU#42900-2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), Lunyangwa Agricultural Research Station, P.O. Box 59, Mzuzu, Malawi

    Chunala Alexico Njombwa

  2. School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Vinicius Moreira & Cathleen Williams

  3. School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Kayanush Aryana

  4. Food Technology and Nutrition Group, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, (LUANAR), Natural Resources College, P.O. Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi

    Limbikani Matumba

Authors
  1. Chunala Alexico Njombwa
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  2. Vinicius Moreira
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  4. Kayanush Aryana
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  5. Limbikani Matumba
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Correspondence to Chunala Alexico Njombwa.

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The study was conducted in full compliance with the current laws of Malawi.

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Njombwa, C.A., Moreira, V., Williams, C. et al. Aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk and associated hepatocellular carcinoma risk among dairy farming households in Malawi. Mycotoxin Res 37, 89–96 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-020-00417-5

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