4^th European Food Chemistry Congress

Biography

Biography: Saima Majeed

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Mycotoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites, which pose a serious health risk to both animals and humans. Maize can be consumed as a staple food in Pakistan and in most part of the world. Maize crop is especially susceptible to mold infection and toxic mycotoxins. Knowing the level of contamination can help in evaluating and managing the risks associated with these contaminants. The available data in Pakistan is limited to a few mycotoxins and lacks the health risk evaluation. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: This study was conducted to check the health risk assessment of mycotoxins dietary exposure in six regions (Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad jamu Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan) of Pakistan through the maize consumption by using a confirmatory validated LC-MS/MS method for analysis. A total 22 mycotoxins were analyzed in maize samples (n=152). Findings: The estimated average maize consumption in adult population of these six regions was in the range of 0.17±0.19 -2.73±1.92g/kg body weight per day, while, in children population was from 0.25±0.26 to 2.39±1.60 g/kg body weight per day. The average dietary exposure of AFB1 in adult population of all the six regions was between 0.323 to 72.44 ng/kg body weight per day and in children from 0.394 to 57.85ng/kg body weight per day. The estimated margin of exposure due to the exposure of AFB1 by the consumption of maize in adult was from 2.34 to 526.31, while, in children from 2.93 to 431.03. The AFB1 cancer risk values in adults of all the six regions were from 0.036 to 9.74 cases/year/100,000 of population, while, in children population the values lie between 0.057 to 2.03 cancer cases/year/100,000 population. Conclusion & Significance: This research will provide new perspectives for the management and planning of food contaminants for the population of Pakistan.