Human milk AFM1, OTA, and DON evaluation by liquid chromatography tandem mass specrometry and their relation to the Southern Brazil nursing mothers' diet.

Abstract: The occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and deoxynivalenol (DON) in human milk and their correlation to the lactating donors dietary habits from Southern Brazil were investigated. Milk samples were collected from 86 nursing mothers who were also interviewed through a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The occurrence of AFM1, OTA, and DON in the human milk samples was evaluated by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) and correlated with the FFQ data. The analysis of the FFQs revealed a high intake of foods susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, such as wheat flour and its derivatives, bovine milk, and coffee which had habitual consumption reported by 71, 50, and 43% of the participants, respectively. AFM1, OTA, and DON were not detected in any sample of human milk, even though the results obtained by LC‐MS/MS suggest a possible occurrence of DON in four samples (>LOD: 2.5 ng/mL; <LOQ: 5 ng/mL). Practical applications: These findings might be valuable for food safety of human milk, showing that besides well‐known benefits breastfeeding do not present undesirable contaminants. However, it is important emphasize that the monitoring food need to be performed constantly to ensure the milk quality and consumer safety and, in addition, the data obtained should be according to regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]