Abstract 842: Maize consumption and circulating aflatoxin B1 levels in Mexican adults

Abstract Objective: To estimate the impact of maize consumption on aflatoxin B1 [AFB1] levels, a potent carcinogen, in Mexican adults living in south and eastern Mexico. Methods: Study participants were women and men ≥40 years of age living in five high hepatocellular carcinoma burden states who participated in Mexico’s 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey, a stratified, multi-stage, and cluster survey probability sampling household survey that is representative of the Mexican population. We estimated the consumption of maize intake in grams per day using a previously validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire with a time reference of the previous seven days. We determined circulating AFB1-albumin lysine adduct [AFB1-lys] levels in serum using liquid chromatography. Guided by subject-matter knowledge we fit multivariable linear regression models that considered the survey design and included age, sex, residence, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, and foods known to be contaminated with aflatoxins including peanuts, rice, dried chili, milk, and cheese. Results: Among the 915 participants, median maize consumption was 307 grams per day [Q1-Q3: 165 - 554]. Maize tortillas contributed 80% of the total maize consumption. The median maize tortillas consumption was 252 grams per day [Q1-Q3: 120 - 462], approximately 8 tortillas per day. Prevalence of AFB1-lys detection was 92% and median levels were 0.127 pg/µL [Q1-Q3: 0.052 - 0.449]. After adjusting for factors that may affect aflatoxin levels, for every 100 grams of maize consumption AFB1-lys levels were 7.4% [β: 0.071, 95% CI: 0.030 - 0.112] higher. And for every tortilla consumed [30 g of maize], we observed a 2.0% [β: 0.020, 95% CI: 0.006 - 0.034] higher level of circulating AFB1-lys. Conclusion: These findings indicate that maize and maize tortillas may be an important source of AFB1 exposure in the Mexican population. Mexico requires effective public health interventions to mitigate exposure to AFB1. Citation Format: Martin Lajous, Obed Solis-Martinez, Adriana Monge, John Groopman, Katherine A. McGlynn, Martin Romero, Carolina Batis, Hector Lamadrid-Figeuroa, Horacio Riojas-Rodriguez. Maize consumption and circulating aflatoxin B1 levels in Mexican adults [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 842.