Biomonitoring Fumonisin B1 and Zearalenone to improve public food safety for female cereal value chain workers in Ghana

Monitoring biomarkers offers more reliable results, compared to typical mycotoxin exposure estimation approaches that employ their prevalence in food in combination with population food intake data. Free forms of fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1+ FB2), and free zearalenone (ZEN) together with three of its enteric metabolites have been identified as fitting indicators for exposures to the parent mycotoxins. This study investigated the similarities in regional and age-related mycotoxin exposures among sampled females employed in the cereal value chain in Ghana. After obtaining ethical clearance to conduct the study, spot urine samples were collected from females in cereal growing communities in The Upper West, Northern, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. The collected bio-samples were processed appropriately and LC-MS/MS chromatographic methods used to determine the presence and levels of FB1, FB2, ZEN, α-ZEL, β-ZEL and ZEN-14, glucuronide. The results indicate that while probable daily intake of the mycotoxins decreased with age, being higher for the 10-19 age groups, exposures were higher in the 55+ age group, consistent with age-related accumulation. The creatinine adjusted mycotoxin levels also presented a snapshot of renal function across the four regions being generally homogenous for participants in the Ashanti region. Wide variations in creatinine concentrations were observed for the Upper West and Northern regions and the spread was heterogenous for Greater Accra. The insight into age-related mycotoxin exposures agrees with previous findings of significant links between FB1 exposures and adverse health outcomes. ZEN exposures were higher in the 10-19 age group suggesting the potential for younger age groups to face significant risks due to exposure to the mycotoxin. The findings from this biomonitoring exercise prompts heightened public health interventions, guided by strategies that will adequately address the age-related risk of mycotoxin exposures in different populations.