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Paul K. Chelule, Nceba Gqaleni, Michael F. Dutton, and Anil A. Chuturgoon

Environmental Health Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa

Abstract

We surveyed households in rural and urban areas of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, to assess the exposure of the inhabitants to fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) , a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides. In southern African regions maize, used as a staple food by the population, is prone to F. verticillioides infection. Furthermore, high levels of FB₁ in maize have been associated with esophageal cancer in South Africa. We assessed exposure of the population to FB₁ at three levels, namely, by analyzing stored maize, plate-ready food, and feces. The positions of participating households in the rural area were recorded using geographic information systems (GIS) for ease and accuracy of follow-up. Of the 50 rural maize samples examined, 32% had levels of FB₁ ranging from 0.1-22.2 mg/kg, whereas 29% of the 28 cooked maize (phutu) samples contained FB₁ ranging from 0.1-0.4 mg/kg. The incidence and levels of FB₁ in feces were 33% and 0.5-39.0 mg/kg, respectively. Of the 49 urban maize samples analyzed 6.1% had a range of 0.2-0.5 mg/kg FB₁, whereas 3 of 44 fecal samples (6%) ranged between 0.6 and 16.2 mg/kg. No FB₁ was detected in urban phutu samples. Because these levels are lower than those published from regions in South Africa with high incidence of esophageal cancer, it may be concluded that the risk of esophageal cancer from FB₁ exposure is lower in the KwaZulu Natal region. Key words: esophageal cancer, fumonisin B₁, Fusarium verticillioides, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) , maize. Environ Health Perspect 109:253-256 (2001) . [Online 1 March 2001]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2001/109p253-256chelule/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to M.F. Dutton, Environmental Health Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Private Bag 7, Congella 4013, South Africa. Telephone: +27 031 260 4364. Fax: + 27 031 260 4455. E-mail: dutton@nu.ac.za

We thank the chiefs, the people of Tugela Valley, and S.E. Mncube for consenting to work with us.

This project was funded by the the National Research Fund-Franco and the Cancer Association of South Africa ; P.K. Chelule received a scolarship from the Joint Financial Programme for Co-operation in Higher Education/Netherlands Organization for Internation Co-peration in Higher Education.

Received 20 March 2000 ; accepted 16 October 2000.