Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake Research Articles

Urinary analysis reveals high deoxynivalenol exposure in pregnant women from Croatia

In this pilot survey the levels of various mycotoxin biomarkers were determined in third trimester pregnant women from eastern Croatia. First void urine samples were collected and analysed using a "dilute and shoot" LC-ESI-MS/MS multi biomarker method. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and its metabolites: deoxynivalenol-15-glucuronide and deoxynivalenol-3-glucuronide were detected in 97.5% of the studied samples, partly at exceptionally high levels, while ochratoxin A was found in 10% of the samples. DON exposure was primarily reflected by the presence of deoxynivalenol-15-glucuronide with a mean concentration of 120 μg L(-1), while free DON was detected with a mean concentration of 18.3 μg L(-1). Several highly contaminated urine samples contained a third DON conjugate, tentatively identified as deoxynivalenol-7-glucuronide by MS/MS scans. The levels of urinary DON and its metabolites measured in this study are the highest ever reported, and 48% of subjects were estimated to exceed the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (1 μg kg(-1) b.w.).

Natural occurrence of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn in four provinces of China

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) are the most abundant fumonisins (FBs) occurring worldwide in maize, infected mainly by Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum. A total of 307 corn kernel samples were collected from 45 districts of Gansu, Shandong, Ningxia and the Inner Mongolia provinces of the north and northwest China. The samples were analysed for FB1 and FB2 by high-performance liquid chromatography. The FBs (FB1+ FB2) incidence rate in samples from Gansu, Shandong, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia were 31.5%, 81.1%, 46.2% and 53.6%, respectively. Average FBs concentration was 703 μg/kg and the concentrations ranged from ≤11 to 13,110 μg kg−1. Results were compared with the European Commission (EC) regulation for FB1+ FB2 in unprocessed maize for human consumption of 4 mg kg−1. Contamination in 17 samples was higher than these levels. More than 80% of the samples from Liaocheng county, which is located in the Shandong province, were contaminated with FBs, with a mean total FB concentration of 2496 μg/kg. The result was significantly different from that of the Inner Mongolia (1399 μg/kg), Ningxia (373 μg/kg) and Gansu (175 μg/kg). Average exposure to FBs (0.12 μg/kg body weight/day) is within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2.0 mg/kg of body weight set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.

Occurrence of patulin in organic and conventional apple-based food marketed in Catalonia and exposure assessment

In the last years, consumption of organic foods has become increasingly popular. Nevertheless, safety of organic foods is still unclear, and needs to be thoroughly evaluated. Patulin is a mycotoxin mainly present in rotten apples and apple-based products. The aim of this study is to analyse the content of patulin in apple juices and purees derived from organic and conventional production systems, in order to assess the risk to consumers, particularly in children. A total of 93 apple-based products marketed in Catalonia were analysed, 49 of which were derived from conventional and 44 from organic farming. The results showed higher incidence of positive samples and higher concentration of patulin in organic apple purees when comparing with conventional ones. In the case of juices, significant differences were found between conventional and organic samples, but applying a multivariate analysis the type of agriculture did not seem to have a relevant contribution to patulin occurrence, being cloudiness the main factor involved. The estimated daily intake of patulin for infants and young children (0-3 years old), children (4-18 years old) and adults (19-66 years old), were below the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 0.4 μg/kg bw in all scenarios considered.

Dietary exposure of Hong Kong adults to fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol

A total of 290 individual food samples were collected in Hong Kong, China, for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) fatty acid esters analysis. Most samples were processed food and in ready-to-eat form. The results show that the levels of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters were high in biscuits, fats and oils, snacks and Chinese pastry with mean bound 3-MCPD levels of 440, 390, 270 and 270 μg kg−1, respectively. The dietary exposures to bound 3-MCPD of average and high adult consumers were estimated to be 0.20 and 0.53 μg kg bw−1 day−1, respectively. The primary toxicological concern of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters is its potential to release 3-MCPD in vivo during digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. 3-MCPD would affect the kidney, the central nervous system and the male reproductive system of rats. Assuming that 100% of the 3-MCPD was released from 3-MCPD fatty acid esters by hydrolysis in the digestive system, the dietary exposures to 3-MCPD for average and high adult consumers were only 10% and 26% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 3-MCPD established by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) (2 μg kg bw−1 day−1), respectively. The results suggest that both average and high adult consumers are unlikely to experience major toxicological effects of 3-MCPD.

Contribution of tap water to chlorate and perchlorate intake: A market basket study

The contributions of water to total levels of chlorate and perchlorate intake were determined using food and water samples from a market basket study from 10 locations in Japan between 2008 and 2009. Foods were categorized into 13 groups and analyzed along with tap water. The average total chlorate intake was 333 (min. 193–max. 486)μg/day for samples cooked with tap water. The contribution of tap water to total chlorate intake was as high as 47%–58%, although total chlorate intake was less than 32% of the tolerable daily intake, 1500μg/day for body weight of 50kg. For perchlorate, daily intake from water was 0.7 (0.1–4.4)μg/day, which is not high compared to the average total intake of 14 (2.5–84)μg/day, while the reference dose (RfD) is 35μg/day and the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) is 500μg/day for body weight of 50kg. The highest intake of perchlorate was 84μg/day, where concentrations in foods were high, but not in water. The contribution of water to total perchlorate intake ranged from 0.5% to 22%, while the ratio of highest daily intake to RfD was 240% and that to PMTDI was 17%. Eight baby formulas were also tested — total chlorate and perchlorate intakes were 147 (42–332)μg/day and 1.11 (0.05–4.5)μg/day, respectively, for an ingestion volume of 1L/day if prepared with tap water.

Survey of patulin in apple juice concentrates in Shaanxi (China) and its dietary intake

This study surveyed the patulin level in the apple juice concentrates from Shaanxi province for four consecutive processing seasons, and evaluated the dietary exposure to this mycotoxin through apple juice. A total of 1987 apple juice concentrate samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector, and only 4 samples in 2007–2008 processing season contained patulin above 50 μg/kg, the current regulatory limit in apple juice. The incidence of patulin contamination varied significantly from 96.7% to 100% (P < 0.05) by processing season, and the patulin level among the four processing seasons varied significantly with the median level from 6.30 to 8.90 μg/kg (P < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis test). The highest evaluated patulin intake based on the apple juice consumption from the World Health Organization's Global Environment Monitoring System/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme (GEMS/Food) was 1.04 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day in cluster diet F. And the patulin intakes for apple juice consumers among adults, children and babies were estimated to be 28.1, 67.5 and 110 ng/kg bw/day. All of the above values were well below the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.

Simultaneous preconcentration of toxic elements in artificial saliva extract of smokeless tobacco product, mainpuri by cloud point extraction method

It has been extensively investigated that smokeless tobacco chewing can lead mainly to inflammation of oral cavity. In present study, the total and artificial saliva extracted toxic elements, arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead were estimated in smokeless tobacco product, mainpuri. Cloud point extraction has been used for the preconcentration of arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead in artificial saliva extract, using complexing reagent, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. Total and extractable toxic elements were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The chemical variables of cloud point extraction were optimized. The validity of methodology was tested by simultaneously analyzing certified reference material (Virginia tobacco leaves) and spike recovery test. The artificial saliva extractable levels of arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead ranged from 15–22, 45–70, 35–58, and 18–32%, respectively, of total elemental contents in mainpuri samples. It was estimated that intake of 10g of different brands of mainpuri contributing the 5.88, 55.0, 45.0 and 40.3% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake for arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead, respectively for adults of ~60kg.

Bioaccumulation of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in Oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) from Qeshm Island Coast in Persian Gulf: Implications of Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (PMTDI)

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were determined in soft tissue of 122 rock oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) collected at seven stations from the coastal zones of Qeshm Island. The exposure of the consumer is compared directly to maximum residue level and provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. Result indicated that levels of Cd, Pb, and Cu were within limits, but the level of Zn exceeded that the limit. Concentrations of Zn (1168.71 μg g−1) and Cu (105.16 μg g−1) were comparatively higher than the level recommended in the international food standards, such as Brazilian Ministry of Health, National Health Medical Research Council, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Tasmania Public Health Regulation. The results, therefore, indicate possible risk in consuming the oysters.

Fusariotoxins in Russian Federation 2005–2010 grain harvests

Monitoring results of food grain contamination with fusariotoxins–deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), fumonisins (FB1&FB2), T-2 and HT-2 toxins–are presented. Harvests of 2005–2010 in different regions of Russia were investigated. The occurrence of DON in wheat was 8%, barley 9%, oats 4%, rye 2% and maize 2%. The highest frequency of ZEN contamination was found in oats, the lowest in wheat. Calculated average daily intake of DON varied from 0.066 to 0.096 µg/kg body weight, the highest being found in the Southern region, but substantially lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated the presence of T-2 toxin in 14% and HT-2 toxin in 17% of all samples. The maximum level of T-2 toxin was exceeded only in one sample of barley. Relatively high frequency and levels of FB1&FB2 contamination were found in maize.

재활용 플라스틱 제품 중 고무대야의 중금속 노출량 평가

본 연구는 폐플라스틱 재활용 제품(재활용 고무대야)의 올바른 사용을 유도하기위한 기초자료로 활용하고자 수행하였다. 재활용 고무대야의 중금속(Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn) 함량과 용출량을 확인하고 김치제조 시나리오에 따라 배추 시료를 분석하여 재활용 고무대야에서 제조한 김치를 섭취할 경우의 노출량을 산정하였다. 분석결과 재활용 고무대야의 중금속함량은 Fe이 가장 높게 나왔으며 그 다음으로 Cu, Zn, Pb의 함량이 높았다. 16개 시료 중 1 개 시료가 식품공전 기구 및 용기포장 일반기준(Cd, <TEX>$Cr^{6+}$</TEX>, Pb, Hg 함량합계 100 mg/kg 이하)을 초과하였다. 용출시험에서는 Fe, Pb, Zn이 검출되었으나 식품공전 합성수지제 용출규격(Pb 1.0 mg/L 이하) 미만이었다. 재활용 고무대야에서 절인 배추시료의 중금속 함량 분석결과 Fe, Pb, Zn이 검출 되었으나 노출량을 산정한 결과 일일최대 섭취한계량 미만이었다. 재활용 고무대야의 시나리오에 따른 노출량 시험결과 유해물질의 함량은 일일 최대 섭취량 미만으로 나타났으나 함량분석결과 기준을 초과한 시료가 있었다. 또한 온도, 시간 등 조건변화에 따른 추가용출 가능성을 배제할 수 없으므로 식품 제조용기로 사용하는 것은 주의가 필요하다. This study has been conducted to provide a management plan for recycled products (plastic wastes) by identifying hazardous substances present in it and conducting exposure assessment. The concentration of 7 heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn) was analyzed. Exposure scenario was assumed by the consumption of kimchi made in a recycled plastic bucket. According to the analysis, all of the analyzed samples were within the food code standard level except one sample (137.03 mg/kg, sum of Cd, <TEX>$Cr^{6+}$</TEX>, Pb and Hg). In leaching test, all of heavy metals were within the leaching standard (Standards specifications of utensil and container-Packing). In an oral exposure test, Fe, Pb and Zn were detected in cabbages and were below PMTDI (Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake). As one of the recycled plastic buckets exceeded the standard level, we conclude not to recommend the recycled plastic buckets for cooking purpose.

Biomonitoring study of deoxynivalenol exposure and association with typical cereal consumption in Swedish adults

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin of the trichothecene family commonly found in cereals infested with differentFusarium species. DON acts primarily on the gastrointestinal and immune system and is suspected to be an underlying agent causing several outbreaks of gastrointestinal disorder among humans, which prompts studies of human exposure and estimations of intake among populations. However, assessing human exposure to mycotoxins is associated with several difficulties. Therefore, a study was undertaken among adults (18-80 years) in a subgroup of Riksmaten, the Swedish national survey investigating dietary habits, examining both the association between urinary DON concentration and dietary intake of cereals, and estimations of daily DON intake. The results indicate that exposure to DON is common among Swedish adults, as this mycotoxin was detected in 292 out of 326 urine samples (90%) at levels ranging from non-detectable to 65.8 ng DON/ml urine with a median level of 2.9 ng/ml. Furthermore, urinary DON (ng/mg creatinine) was associated with intake (g/day) of total cereal grain as well as whole grain. Urinary DON was also significantly associated with breakfast cereals and porridge consumption (P&lt;0.05). Estimated DON intake in this study ranged between 2.5 and 5,443 ng/kg body weight (bw). 1% of the individuals had estimated intakes above the group provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI; 1 μg/kg), whereas the mean and median intakes of 159 and 84 ng DON/kg bw, respectively, were considerably below the PMTDI. Along with the toxicological profile of DON, no serious health implications are to be expected for the majority of Swedish adults, although a potential health concern remains for some high cereal consumers. In conclusion, biomonitoring could prove to be a valuable tool for observing DON exposure among populations.

Biomonitoring of Ni and V Contamination Using Oysters (Saccostrea cucullata) at Lengeh Port, Persian Gulf, Iran

Vanadium and nickel are two important indicators of oil pollution. Lengthy exposure to these elements causes serious harmful effects in human health, different harsh allergies being examples. The accumulation of two heavy metals (Ni and V) in sediment and the soft and hard tissues of Saccostrea cucullata were analyzed at three sampling sites along the coast of Lengeh Port, Persian Gulf. Results indicated at all the sampling sites; the Ni levels in soft tissues (STs) were higher than in the shells (SHs) and sediments, whereas the V levels were higher in the sediments. In addition, meaningful relationship (r = 0.65; p < 0.05) was observed across Ni levels in ST of S. cucullata and sediment, while for V concentrations a strong relationship (r = 0.83; p < 0.01) was found in SH of S. cucullata and sediment. This indicates that ST and SH of oyster can be considered as a biomonitoring agent for Ni and V levels, in coastal waters, respectively. The exposure of the consumer is compared directly to minimal risk level and provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. Result indicated that levels of Ni and V were within the safety limits for human consumption.

Risk assessment of patulin intake from apple containing products by young children

Patulin is a mycotoxin for which a provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 400 ng/kg bodyweight/ day has been set based on its most sensitive toxic effect, growth retardation. Apple containing products are the major source for patulin exposure, with major intake differences according to age and living region. Young children are most at risk of patulin intoxication, because they consume much higher amounts of apple products than adults. In this study, the patulin intake was calculated for Dutch children of 8 to 48 months and the risks of patulin intoxication were assessed. In addition, the bioaccessibility of patulin from apple containing products was investigated for a more refined risk assessment of patulin. The bioaccessibility of patulin was high, varying between 55 and 100%, and, consequently, no refinement of the risk assessment was possible. Based on the probabilistic intake calculations, children are exposed to levels below the PMTDI. Children aged 13-20 months with a high organic apple product intake have the highest patulin exposure, 342 ng/kg bodyweight/day at the upper confidence interval of the P95. No harmful effects are expected with the current patulin intake in young children. No concentration data are available for baby food (organic and conventional) and, therefore, concentrations were set at half the legal limit for intake calculations. Concentration data are needed for a more refined intake calculation for children younger than one year to estimate the actual risk in these children, because baby food comprises 23% of their diet.

Analysis of cadmium, nickel, and lead in commercial moist and dry snuff used in Pakistan

The extent to which smokeless tobacco endangers human health is an ongoing subject of debate. In this study, concentrations of toxic metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni), were measured in different snuff products (dry brown and black and moist green and brown), available and consumed in Pakistan. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Ni were determined in 23 samples of various brands of snuff by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, after microwave-assisted acid digestion. The reliability of methodology was assured by analyzing certified reference material. The resulted data of toxic metals in different snuff products are comparable to the existing information with limited exceptions. It was estimated that 10 g intake of different types of snuff could contribute 14-68, 17-47, and 20-73 % of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake for Cd, Ni, and Pb, respectively.

Refined hazard characterization of 3‐MCPD using benchmark dose modeling

Abstract3‐Monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol (3‐MCPD)‐esters represent a newly identified class of food‐borne process contaminants of possible health concern. Due to hydrolysis 3‐MCPD esters constitute a potentially significant source of free 3‐MCPD exposure and their preliminary risk assessment was based on toxicological data on free 3‐MCPD. 3‐MCPD is a non‐genotoxic carcinogen and a (provisional maximum) tolerable daily intake ((PM)TDI) of 2 µg/kg bodyweight per day was established by the Scientific Committee on Food and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Both committees derived the TDI from a lowest observed adverse effect level, not a no observed adverse effect level, for renal tubular hyperplasia, using an uncertainty factor of 500. When using the Benchmark Dose (BMD) approach and a BMDL10 value as point of departure, part of this uncertainty factor of 500 would no longer be needed. The present study presents a BMD analysis of the currently available chronic data on 3‐MCPD mediated induction of tubular hyperplasia in rats as the most sensitive endpoint. The results indicate a (model‐averaged) BMDL10 value of 0.72 mg/kg bw/day. The TDI that would be derived based on this BMDL10 value will depend on the uncertainty factor chosen. Using the default uncertainty factor of 100 for inter‐ and intraspecies extrapolation would result in a TDI of 7 µg/kg bw/day.See commentary by Abraham et al. [p. 1225–1226]

Occurrence of deoxynivalenol in cereals and exposure risk assessment in Indian population

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a toxic fungal metabolite that frequently contaminates cereal crops. The occurrence of DON in hundred samples of wheat, maize and barley collected from different districts of Uttar Pradesh, India was examined. DON was detected in 30% samples out of which 7% samples exceeded the FSSR (Food Safety and Standard Regulation, India) limit (1 mg/kg). The contamination levels ranged from 0.01 mg/kg to 4.73 mg/kg. Of all the hundred cereal samples analyzed by HPLC, 19 positive samples (within the LOQ of 0.043 mg/kg) were further quantified by HPTLC, which showed comparable results suggesting that HPTLC is an equally reliable and cost effective method. Validation of DON in samples was performed by LC-MS analysis. Based on results of monitoring and the average actual consumption of wheat in India, the 90th percentile value of estimated daily intake (EDI) of DON was found to be 7.72 μg DON/kg body weight which exceeded the Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (PMTDI 1 μg DON/kg-bw) proposed by JECFA by 7.7 folds there by suggesting the possibility of DON exposure to humans. Since DON levels have been set for wheat only there is a need to formulate regulatory standards for other cereals so as to reduce the exposure risk to DON.

Dietary Intake of Arsenic by Households in Marua Village in Jessore

Arsenic (As) consumption through foods by adults and children in the As contaminated Marua village of Chowgacha upazila under Jessore district was studied. The Asian Arsenic Network (AAN) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have provided some interventions such as installation of deep tube-wells and As-Fe removal plants and awareness program to reduce drinking water As exposure of people living in the village. But scope exists for food crops grown in this area to accumulate As from As contaminated irrigation water. With these points in view, a household food survey was made to investigate As intake by the people living in Marua village. For it, cooked meals and uncooked foods were collected from households and local market. The study revealed that an adult consumed 220 ?g As per day from food source and rice alone contributed 86% of it. Considering 80% inorganic As in rice, 220 ?g total As is equivalent to 176 ?g As which exceeds the WHO’s provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of As which is 2 ?g/kg body weight i.e. 120 ?g As for a 60 kg person. This result suggests that next to drinking water, food (mainly rice) is the principal source of As entry into human body in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i1.11593 J. Environ. Sci. &amp; Natural Resources, 5(1): 283-288, 2012

Fumonisin FB1 treatment acts synergistically with methyl donor deficiency during rat pregnancy to produce alterations of H3‐ and H4‐histone methylation patterns in fetuses

Prenatal folate and methyl donor malnutrition lead to epigenetic alterations that could enhance susceptibility to disease. Methyl-deficient diet (MDD) and fumonisin FB1 are risk factors for neural tube defects and cancers. Evidence indicates that FB1 impairs folate metabolism. Folate receptors and four heterochromatin markers were investigated in rat fetuses liver derived from dams exposed to MDD and/or FB1 administered at a dose twice higher than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI = 2 μg/kg/day). Even though folate receptors transcription seemed up-regulated by methyl depletion regardless of FB1 treatment, combined MDD/FB1 exposure might reverse this up-regulation since folate receptors transcripts were lower in the MDD/FB1 versus MDD group. Methyl depletion decreased H4K20me3. Combined MDD/FB1 decreased H4K20me3 even more and increased H3K9me3. The elevated H3K9me3 can be viewed as a defense mechanism inciting the cell to resist heterochromatin disorganization. H3R2me2 and H4K16Ac varied according to this mechanism even though statistical significance was not consistent. Considering that humans are exposed to FB1 levels above the PMTDI, this study is relevant because it suggests that low doses of FB1 interact with MDD thus contributing to disrupt the epigenetic landscape.

Assessment of human deoxynivalenol exposure using an LC–MS/MS based biomarker method

The Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most abundant mycotoxins worldwide and poses many adverse health effects to human and animals. Consequently, regulatory limits and a provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) for this important type B-trichothecene were assigned. We conducted a pilot survey to investigate the level of DON exposure in Austrian adults by measurements of DON and its glucuronide conjugates (DON-GlcA's), as biomarkers of exposure, in first morning urine. The average concentration of total DON (free DON+DON-GlcA's) was estimated to be 20.4±2.4μgL−1 (max. 63μgL−1). Surprisingly, we found that one third of the volunteers (n=27) exceeded the established PMTDI when consuming regular diet. DON-GlcA's were directly quantified by LC–MS/MS and the results were compared with indirect quantification after enzymatic hydrolysis and confirmed the suitability of the direct method. Moreover, we investigated the in vivo metabolism of DON in humans and were able to determine two closely eluting DON-GlcA's in naturally contaminated urine samples for the first time. In contrast to previous findings we have tentatively identified DON-15-glucuronide as a major DON metabolite in human urine based on the analysis of these samples. About 75% of total glucuronides were derived from this metabolite while DON-3-glucuronide accounted for approximately 25%. The reported new findings clearly demonstrate the great potential of suitable biomarkers to critically assess exposure of humans and animals to DON.

Daily intake estimates of fumonisins in corn-based food products in the population of Parana, Brazil

One hundred (100) samples of corn-based food products were collected between February 2007 and July 2010 to estimate the intake of fumonisins in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The identification of fumonisins was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and post column o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) derivatisation. The occurrences of fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) were 82% and 51%, respectively, with concentrations ranging from 126 to 4348 μg/kg (FB1 + FB2). Among corn-based products, corn meal had a higher prevalence of fumonisin (96.6%), and corn grits had the highest level of contamination (3462 μg/kg for FB1 and 886 μg/kg for FB2). The average probable daily intake (APDI) and maximum probable daily intake (MPDI) estimated for the population of Parana, Brazil, were 120.58 and 256.07 ng/kg body weight/day, respectively, which is lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI), 2000 ng/kg body weight/day.