Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in the weaning food of Nigerian children.

ABSTRACT

A total of 48 samples of maize-based gruels, used as weaning food for children, were taken daily from hospital meals and from patients' mothers while their children were on admission at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha, Nigeria. These samples were analysed for aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Twelve samples (25%) were positive for aflatoxins (concentration range 2-19,716 pg/g) but only four (8%) were positive for ochratoxin (concentration range 142-6516 pg/g). In the majority, the concentrations were relatively low, only two having aflatoxin and one ochratoxin A levels greater than 1000 pg/g. It is concluded that, unlike aflatoxin, ochratoxin A contamination is unlikely to present a major health hazard to the newly weaned child in this area of Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

PIP Ochratoxin A is a toxic compound commonly produced by Penicillium verrucosum and Aspergillus ochraceus, two species of fungi. Ochratoxin A may play a role in the irreversible and fatal kidney disease known as Balkan endemic nephropathy. The compound also has potent carcinogenic effects and is known to be capable of causing liver damage. Aflatoxins form another group of mycotoxins produced by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus and related fungi, and are common contaminants of a wide variety of foods in tropical countries. The authors investigated whether the weaning diets of children in Ilesha, Nigeria, are contaminated by aflatoxins and/or ochratoxin A. 48 samples of maize-based gruels, used as weaning food for children, were taken daily from hospital meals and from patients' mothers while their children were admitted at the Wesley Guild Hospital. The samples were then analyzed for the presence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. 12 tested positive for aflatoxins and 4 were positive for ochratoxin. The concentrations were relatively low among the majority, with only two having aflatoxin and one having ochratoxin A levels greater than 1000 pg/g.