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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Toxicology & Mycotoxin Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #281842
Title: The kinetics of urinary fumonisin B1 excretion in humans consuming maize-based diets

Author
item Riley, Ronald
item TORRES, OLGA - National Institute Of Public Health (INSP)
item Showker, Adele
item ZITOMER, NICHOLAS - Former ARS Employee
item MATUTE, JORGE - National Institute Of Public Health (INSP)
item Voss, Kenneth
item MADDOX, JOYCE - Creighton University
item GELINEAU-VAN WAES, JANEE - Creighton University
item GREGORY, SIMON - Duke University Medical Center
item ASHLEY-KOCH, ALLISON - Duke University Medical Center

Submitted to: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2012
Publication Date: 7/20/2012
Citation: Riley, R.T., Torres, O., Showker, A.J., Zitomer, N.C., Matute, J., Voss, K.A., Gelineau-van Waes, J., Maddox, J.R., Gregory, S.G., Ashley-Koch, A.E. 2012. The kinetics of urinary fumonisin B1 excretion in humans consuming maize-based diets. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 56:1445-1455.

Interpretive Summary: Fumonisins (FB) are toxic chemicals produced by molds and often found in corn. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine the relationship between FB1, FB2, and FB3 intake and urinary excretion in humans, 2) validate a method to isolate urinary FB on solid phase extraction cartridges for international shipment, and 3) test the method using samples from Guatemala, a country where corn is consumed in large amounts. Volunteers consumed 206 grams/day of tortillas and biscuits prepared from masa flour and a product containing corn flour. Volunteers estimated their daily urine output and samples were analyzed for FB1, FB2, and FB3 and a chemical form of FB known as hydrolyzed FB1 which is produced during processing. Only FB1 was detected in urine suggesting that the FB2 and FB3 do not enter the body as well as FB1. Excretion was highly variable, peaking soon after consumption began and decreasing rapidly after consumption stopped. Within five days after consumption ended, FB1 was not detected in the urine. In a study with eight volunteers, the average total urinary FB1 was 0.5% of the FB1 intake. FB1 was detected in 61% (107/177) of the urine samples collected in Guatemala. The results support the use of urinary FB1 to assess ongoing exposure in population based studies. However, relating the FB1 concentration in urine to dietary intake of FB by individual subjects will be complicated due to inter-individual variability and the rapidity of clearance.

Technical Abstract: Fumonisins (FB) are mycotoxins found in maize. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine the relationship between FB1, FB2, and FB3 intake and urinary excretion in humans, 2) validate a method to isolate urinary FB on C18-SPE cartridges for international shipment, and 3) test the method using samples from Guatemala. Volunteers consumed 206 grams/day of tortillas and biscuits prepared from masa flour and a product containing maize flour. Volunteers estimated their daily urine output and samples were analyzed for FB1, FB2, and FB3 and hydrolyzed FB1. Only FB1 was detected in urine suggesting lower absorption of FB2 and FB3. Excretion was highly variable, peaking soon after consumption began and decreasing rapidly after consumption stopped. Within five days after consumption ended, FB1 was not detected in the urine. In a study with eight volunteers, the average total urinary FB1 was 0.5% of the intake. FB1 was detected in 61% (107/177) of the samples collected in Guatemala. The results support the use of urinary FB1 to assess ongoing exposure in population based studies. However, relating the FB1 concentration in urine to dietary intake of FB by individual subjects will be complicated due to inter-individual variability and the rapidity of clearance.