Abstract

Aflatoxins are the main mycotoxin related to the contamination of Brazil nut and an important product extracted from the Amazon region that has a high number of consumers due to its health benefits. Considering the frequent occurrence of aflatoxins in Brazil nuts, it is necessary to study the levels of exposure to these toxins associated with its consumption using biomarkers. To do this, a study was carried out with 30 volunteers of both sexes, where each volunteer received a kit containing Brazil nuts for the ingestion of 2 (two) units / day for 30 days. Urine samples were collected from each volunteer at 0 and 30 days, and the level of Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was determined by ELISA using the Helica Kit®. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on weight, height, age, medication use, pathological conditions, frequency of weekly consumption of certain foods more susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, and 24-h food recall. Of the 30 samples analyzed at time 0 (zero) for exposure, AFM1 presented positive results in 3 (10%) samples with a range of 2.75-70.41 ng/mL. In the analysis of the 30 days after Brazil nut consumption, the presence of AFM1 in the urine was not detected, suggesting that Brazil nut consumption did not generate impact on the urinary levels and exposure to AFM1. In conclusion, no association was found between food consumption of food susceptible to aflatoxin contamination and concentration of AFM1 in urine.

Key words:  Aflatoxin, nuts, ELISA, selenium.