Health risk associated with the oral consumption of "Chiniy-tref", a traditional medicinal preparation used in Martinique (French West Indies): Qualitative and quantitative analyses of aristolochic acids contained therein.

"Chiniy-tref" (CT) is a traditional preparation used in folk medicine in Martinique Island (French West Indies) that is nowadays mainly taken orally to prevent or act against any "manifestation of evil". CT is easily prepared at home by macerating larvae of the endemic swallowtail Battus polydamas (ssp.) cebriones (Dalman, 1823), sometimes accompanied by a leaf of its host-plant Aristolochia trilobata L., in commercial rum. We have previously reported the detection of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic aristolochic acids (AAs) I and II in CT, leading the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Martinique to issue an alert regarding the potential risks associated with its consumption in 2015. In order to complete the toxicity risk assessment for oral consumption of CT, a full qualitative analysis of AAs and their analogues (AAAs) was performed, as well as a quantitative determination of the major AAs, namely AAs I and II. The phytochemical profiling of AAAs present in CT, that also corresponds to that of B. polydamas cebriones larvae feeding on A. trilobata, has been established for the first time by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. AAs I and II were quantified in a small panel of tinctures by using a validated UHPLC/UV method, allowing us to estimate the probable daily intakes of these toxins by CT consumers. The results proved the existence of a real risk of renal toxicity and carcinogenicity associated with the chronic oral consumption of CT in Martinique, and more generally of similar "snake bottles" throughout the Caribbean.

Development and evaluation of a sensitive mycotoxin risk assessment model (MYCORAM).

The differential risk of exposure to fumonisin (FB), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) mycotoxins to the South African population, residing in the nine Provinces was assessed during a cross-sectional grain consumer survey. The relative per capita maize intake (g/day) was stratified by gender, ethnicity, and Province and the probable daily intake (PDI) for each mycotoxin (ng/kg body weight/day) calculated utilizing SPECIAL and SUPER dry milled maize fractions representing different exposure scenarios. Men consumed on an average more maize (173 g/day) than women (142 g/day) whereas the black African ethnic group had the highest intake (279 g/day) followed by the Colored group (169 g/day) with the Asian/Indian and White groups consuming lower quantities of 101 and 80 g/day, respectively. The estimated mean PDIs for the various subgroups and Provinces, utilizing the different dry milled maize fractions, were below the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) for each mycotoxin. A distinct and more sensitive mycotoxin risk assessment model (MYCORAM) for exposure, stratified by Province and ethnicity were developed utilizing specific maize intake increments (g/kg body weight/day) that provides information on the percentage of the population exposed above the PMTDI for each mycotoxin. Evaluation of the MYCORAM utilizing commercial and EXPERIMENTALLY DERIVED: SPECIAL milling fractions, containing predefined mycotoxins levels, predicts the percentage of maize consumers exposed above the respective PMTDI. Safety modeling using the MYCORAM could also predict a maximum tolerated level adequate to safeguard all South African maize consumers including the most vulnerable groups.