Influence of season and lactational stage on aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A in human milk in a cohort study from southeastern region of Turkey

ABSTRACT

The aim was to evaluate the changes in aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in human breast milk (HBM) during the first five postpartum months according to the sampling season in a cohort study from Şanlıurfa. From 78 healthy lactating mothers, HBM was taken at the 5–14 days postpartum (D5-14) and the 6^th and 18^th weeks postpartum (W6 and W18). Mycotoxin levels were analyzed with competitive ELISA. Generalized Estimating Equations with repeated measures (three-correlation matrix dimension) revealed a significantly higher mean AFM1 level at W6 than that on D5-14. AFM1 and OTA levels in winter and spring were considerably higher than that in summer and autumn. Maternal smoke exposure, body mass index, history of moldy food exposure, birth order, and breastfeeding type did not influence the results. Whilst season had a marked effect on the milk levels of both analytes, lactation stage affected AFM1 more notable than OTA.

KEYWORDS:

• Aflatoxin M1
• ochratoxin A
• human breast milk
• season
• lactational stage

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to all volunteers for participating in this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Authors’ contributions

SSY contributed to the conception or design of the work. BG contributed to the acquisition of data. SY contributed to the analysis and interpretation of data for the work. SSY prepared the manuscript. All gave final approval and agree to be accountable for all aspects of work ensuring integrity and accuracy.

Availability of data and materials

For access to the files, please send an e-mail request to [email protected].

Ethical approval

Ethics Board of Non-Interventional Clinical Research from Hacettepe University approved the protocol. All procedures in the study complied with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed Consent was obtained from the mothers included in the study.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by authors. There was no financial support from any institution.