Abstract
Human are exposed to a wide range of mycotoxins through dietary food intake, including processed food. Even most of the mycotoxin exposure assessment studies are based on analysis of foodstuffs, and evaluation of dietary intake through food consumption patterns and human biomonitoring methods are rising as a reliable alternative to approach the individual exposures, overcoming the limitations of the indirect dietary assessment. In this study, human urine samples were analyzed, seeking the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), and their metabolites. For this purpose, 40 urine samples from female and male adult residents in the city of Valencia (Spain) were evaluated by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-qTOF) after salting-out liquid–liquid extraction. Analytical data showed that 72.5% of analyzed samples were contaminated by at least one mycotoxin at variable levels. The most prevalent mycotoxins were de-epoxy DON (DOM-1) (53%), ZEA (40%), and α-zearalenol (αZOL) (43%), while OTA was only detected in one sample. The mean concentrations in positive samples were DON (9.07 ng/mL), DOM-1 (20.28 ng/mL), ZEA (6.70 ng/mL), ZEA-14 glucoside (ZEA-14-Glc) (12.43 ng/mL), αZOL (27.44 ng/mL), αZOL-14 glucoside (αZOL-14-Glc) (12.84 ng/mL), and OTA (11.73 ng/mL). Finally, probable daily intakes (PDIs) were calculated and compared with the established tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) to estimate the potential risk of exposure to the studied mycotoxins. The calculated PDI was below the TDI value established for DON in both female and male adults, reaching a percentage up to 30%; however, this percentage increased up to 92% considering total DON (DON + DOM-1). On the other hand, the PDI obtained for ZEA and its metabolites were higher than the TDI value fixed, but the low urine excretion rate (10%) considered should be highlighted. Finally, the PDI calculated in the detected positive sample for OTA exceeded the TDI value. The findings of the present study confirm the presence of the studied mycotoxins and their metabolites as some of the most prevalent in urine.
Highlights
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by various fungi on diverse agricultural commodities
The probable daily intakes (PDIs) of mycotoxins among the participants were obtained based on results of mycotoxin biomarkers in urine, employing the following equation according to Solfrizzo et al [19]: PDI = C × V × 100/W × E
Where C is the concentration of the mycotoxin biomarker in urine, V is the mean volume of urine excreted in 24 h, established in 1.5 L according to Rodríguez-Carrasco et al [27]
Summary
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by various fungi on diverse agricultural commodities. Typical biomarkers include parent toxins themselves, protein or DNA adducts, and/or the major phase I or II metabolites (glucuronide conjugates) that may be measured in biological fluids, such as plasma/serum or urine, and are related to the intake of mycotoxins through contaminated food [4]. In this context, the analysis of mycotoxins and their metabolites in human urine may provide a very suitable alternative for the evaluation of exposure to mycotoxins. Niknejad et al [26] studied the multi-mycotoxin urinary levels in healthy volunteers and esophageal cancer patients, and reported DON presence in only one sample from healthy volunteers at a concentration of 8.42 μg/L
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
