Health Risk Assessment of Multiple Mycotoxins in Rice, Maize, Soybean, and Wheat Flour Marketed in Shanghai

Abstract:

[Objective] This study aims to evaluate the potential health risks to consumers from exposure to multiple mycotoxins in grains. [Method] Point and probabilistic assessment models were adopted to analyze the dietary exposure risks of adult residents in Shanghai to aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenols (DONs), and fumonisins (FBs) through consumption of rice, maize, soybeans, and wheat flour. [Result] The margin of exposure values (MoE) for AFs in maize and aflatoxin G₁ (AFG₁) in soybeans exceeded 10 000, indicating no dietary exposure risk. In contrast, AFs in rice and wheat flour, as well as aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), aflatoxin B₂ (AFB₂), and aflatoxin G₂ (AFG₂) in soybeans, showed MoE below 10 000, suggesting a minor health risk. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of ZEN, DONs, and FBs from the four grains were below the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI), indicating no dietary risk. At the 95th percentile (P95) exposure level, the EDI of OTA from rice exceeded 100 ng/kg, while the risk quotient (RQ) of OTA in soybeans and DONs in wheat flour surpassed 100% under certain exposure scenarios, indicating a potential minor health risk. [Conclusion] Overall, the exposure to AFs, OTA, ZEN, DONs, and FBs through consumption of four grains among adult residents in Shanghai was within safe limits. However, certain mycotoxins posed potential health risks under high-exposure conditions. These findings provide scientific basis for the risk management of mycotoxins in grains in Shanghai.