Assessment of the Risk of Exposure to Aflatoxins Found in Maize (Zea mays L.) Produced in Cote d'ivoire in Ivorian Adults

Abstract

Aims: The objective of this study is to estimate the health risk incurred by the Ivorian adult consumer as a result of exposure to AFB1 and the sum of aflatoxins (AFT) through the consumption of maize.
 Place and Duration of Study: During this study 375 samples of maize (grains, cobs, spathes) were taken from February 2016 to January 2017 and the analyzes were carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Agriculture and Development of Biological Resources of the Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY University.
 Methodology: The detection of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) was performed by HPLC using the AOAC method. The risk analysis procedure was conducted according to the Codex Alimentarius risk analysis model. It consisted of a quantitative assessment. The quantitative estimation of the aflatoxin exposure was performed according to the deterministic approach.
 Results: The results indicate the presence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in all forms of maize (grains, cobs, spathes) and in the five regions visited. The average concentrations of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and the sum of aflatoxins (AFT) ranged from 0.79 ± 0.04 µg/kg to 130.31 ± 22.56 µg/kg and from 2.63 ± 2.35 µg/kg to 169.13 ± 40.39 µg/kg, respectively. Subsequently, the Estimated Daily Intakes (EDI) by consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated maize vary according to the level of contamination. They range from 0.28±0.00 ng/kg body weight/day to 52.85±9.14 ng/kg body weight/day for AFB1 exposure. They ranged from 1.00±0.85 ng/kg body weight/day to 68.57± 16.28 ng/kg body weight/day for AFT exposure. Samples of maize grains and cobs from the Gbèkê, Poro and Hambol regions showed low daily doses below the reference values (2.028 ng/kg body weight/day and 4.056 ng/kg body weight/day). The opposite results are observed with samples (grains, ears and spathes) from Indenié-Djuablin and Gountougo.
 Conclusion: The results of the daily doses of aflatoxin exposure of these regions show a need for monitoring their production. Thus, the implementation of efficient technical itineraries throughout the maize distribution chain, both during production, post-harvest processing, and conservation will be able to guarantee a better sanitary quality of this agricultural food product.