CONCENTRATION OF OCHRATOXIN A AS A TOXIC XENOBIOTIC IN MATERNAL BREAST MILK FROM TURKEY

Breast milk is very important nutrition for infants in the first six months of human life. However, it may be contaminated with naturally occurring mycotoxins such as ochratoxins. This study was carried out to detect the Ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in maternal breast milk samples collected from 92 healthy lactating mothers from a rural area. Maternal breast milk samples were directly analyzed to detect the level of OTA using by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. A semi quantitative questionnaire was used to determine the dealing with farming or ranching, focused on probable OTA contamination. OTA was detected in 21 of 92 (22.8%) maternal breast milk samples in the range of 10-100 ng/L. According to the European Union Commission Standart, 6 (6.5%) positive maternal breast milk samples indicated higher than the maximum limit of 40 ng/L for OTA. OTA concentrations were significantly correlated with the ranching but there wasn't any significant correlation noticed among the lactating mothers who were interrelated in farming. The results highlight the exposure of infants and lactating mothers to OTA shows the consumption of foods. It is recommended for more regular study and strategies to reduce OTA exposure in the food chain and maternal breast milk.