Authors:
Evelyne Nguegwouo, Emmanuel Ediage Njumbe
, Patrick Berka Njobeh
, Gabriel Nama
Medoua
, Zachee Ngoko
, Martin Fotso
, Sarah De Saeger
, Elie Fokou
and Francois-Xavier
Etoa |
Abstract:
Background: In sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in Cameroon, several research has shown
the presence of aflatoxins (AFs) in food intended to human consumption. The evaluation of the
health risk associated with consumption of contaminated foods is needed to know the sanitary
statute of the population.
Objective: This study was conducted from January to December 2014 in Bafia in the Centre
Region of Cameroon with the objectives to determine the levels of AFT (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and
AFG2) in dishes where maize is the staple food and to estimate the health risk (Body Mass Index,
Estimate Daily Intake, Risk Exposure, Risk of Liver Cancer Incidence) among the rural
population of Bafia.
Method: A validated Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay was performed to estimate AFT
contamination levels in a total of 109 samples of maize-based foods. A food survey was carried out using standard method involving 102 children [5-8 years], 106 adolescents [9-15 years] and
156 adults [>15 years]) and was permit to estimate the average amount of maize -based food
Results: AFT were detected in 100% of samples and the levels ranged from 0.8 ug/kg (roasted
maize or maize fritters) to 18.6 ug/kg (dry or fresh flat maize cake with groundnuts). Dietary
exposure was age-depending. Children were more vulnerable to AFT (43.77c +_ 0.56 ng/kg
bw/day) followed by adolescents (31.88b +_ 0.32 ng/kg bw/day) and finally adults (27.38a +_ 0.49
ng/kg bw/day). The same tendency were also obtained concerning the risk of liver cancer
incidence/100 000/year attributable to dietary AFT among all subgroups under study ( Children:
0.6c
; Adolescents: 0.4b
; Adults: 0.3a
).
Conclusion: This highlights the need for continuous monitoring of maize-based food for AFT
and to implement strategies for their control in Cameroon |
