Infants’ Exposure to Aflatoxin M1 from Mother’s Breast Milk in Iran

Abstract

Background

The occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk, especially breast milk, is a valuable biomarker for exposure determination to aflatoxin B ₁ (AFB ₁). In the present study, the risk of exposure to AFM ₁ in infants fed breast milk was investigated.

Methods:

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the analysis of AFM ₁ in breast milk samples from 132 lactating mothers referred to four urban Mothers and Babies Care Unit of Hamadan, western Iran.

Results:

AFM ₁ was detected in eight samples (6.06%) at mean concentration of 9.45 ng/L. The minimum and maximum of concentration was 7.1 to 10.8 ng/L, respectively. Although the concentration of AFM ₁ in none of the samples was higher than the maximum tolerance limit accepted by USA and European Union (25 ng/kg) however, 25% had a level of AFM ₁ above the allowable level of Australia and Switzerland legal limit (10 ng/L).

Conclusions:

Lactating mothers and infants in western parts of Iran could be at risk for AFB ₁ and AFM ₁ exposure, respectively. Considering all this information, the investigation of AFM ₁ in lactating mothers as a biomarker for post-natal exposure of infants to this carcinogen deserves further studies in various seasons and different parts of Iran.