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Background and Objective: Human breast milk is the primary food for newborns that possess all essential nutrients for their growth and health. However, breast milk can be contaminated with various toxins including aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 formed in the liver and excreted into the breast milk. This toxin can have immunosuppressive, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the level of AFM1 in human breast milk samples from Jiroft (Kerman Province), Iran. Methods: A total of 84 human breast milk samples were collected from lactating mothers who were referred to number one clinic in Jiroft from April 2016 to January 2017. The level of AFM1 was measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Aflatoxin M1 was detected in all (100%) human breast milk samples within the interval values of 3.2 to 8.8 ng/L (mean, 4.1±0.7 ng/L). The level of AFM1 in all samples was lower than the maximum tolerable limit (25 ng/L) suggested by the EU and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Conclusion: Although AFM1 is present in all human breast milk samples from the city of Jiroft, the level of this toxin is within the tolerable limit. Therefore, it seems that infants are not at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mycotoxins are important risks for human health due to their widespread presence in food and environment. However, feeding of infants with safe breast milk without contamination by different pollutants including mycotoxins is essential. The aim of this study is assessing the presence and values of the mycotoxins Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin M1 in human milk in Sari, Northern Iran, and to evaluate the potential risk for the newborn derived from this mycotoxins ingestion. The study has been carried out on 136 lactating women randomly selected in seven hospitals in Sari, Northern Iran. The breast milk samples after delivery were tested to determine Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin M1 values. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods with a fluorescence detector following an extraction procedure were used for analysis of Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin M1. In final scrutiny, of a total of 136 samples analyzed, only one was contaminated with Aflatoxin M1, at 20 ng/l, and two with Ochratoxin A, at 90 and 140 ng/l. These results pointed out the exposure of mothers and neonates to Aflatoxin M1 and Ochratoxin A and although the incidence observed was low, it is recommended for further investigations on mycotoxin contamination both in food and biological fluids as well as protection strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human breast milk samples, collected during April 2007 in Tabriz, Iran, were analyzed for organochlorine (OC) pesticides, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), α, β, and γ-hexachlorocycloexane (HCH) isomers and six polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners (IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180). Organochlorine pesticides and OCB were both prevalent in the samples of human breast milk. Average concentrations of HCB, DDT, HCH, and PCB were 1020, 1930, 1660, and 690 ng g-1 lipid weight, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between concentration of OC in human breast milk and mothers age with primiparae. Women having higher OC concentrations than multiparae women suggests that these parameters influence the OC burden in lactating women. The estimated tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) of HCH, HCB and PCB solely from human breast milk were 100, 46, and 43% of samples, respectively, exceeding guideline thresholds given as TDI proposed by Health Canada. Although high daily intakes may raise concerns for possible adverse effects of OC, women in Tabriz are recommended to breastfeed due to the numerous advantages for mother and child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal toxicity is related with a number of diseases, but the problem increases many-fold when toxic metals are found in breast milk, the basic food item in a vulnerable age group. Twenty milk samples from lactating women were collected from rural areas of arsenic-affected districts of Kaboodrahang city, Iran. Arsenic levels in drinking water were also analyzed. As controls, 20 breast milk samples and 8 drinking water samples were also collected from two villages southwest of Kaboodrahang city, where no groundwater arsenic contamination has been reported. Mean (±SD) arsenic concentration was 10.75 (±7.62) μg/L in study samples and 7.73 (±4.01) μg/L in control samples. Unacceptable non-carcinogenic health risk levels or hazard quotients for arsenic were found in 55% of breastfed infants in the contaminated areas and 41% of breastfed infants in the non-contaminated area. The results showed that the levels of arsenic in both contaminated and non-contaminated areas were high. This suggest that arsenic probably enters the mother's milk from other sources such as food crops in the study area. Our results indicate a potential risk of arsenic toxicity in infants in rural areas in Kaboodrahang city via the consumption of mothers' breast milk. • We analyzed arsenic in the breast milk samples from arsenic (As) contaminated area. • High As concentration was measured in drinking water with the mean of 157.5 μg/L. • Mean As levels were respectively 10.75 and 7.73 μg/L in study and control samples. • HQ > 1.0 was obtained for 55% of breastfed infants in As-contaminated areas. • HQ > 1.0 was obtained for 41% of breastfed infants in non As-contaminated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis was designed to review the published reports regarding the concentration and/or prevalence of aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) in human breast milk in Iran. The carcinogenic risk for Iranian infants consuming this milk was estimated with the hazard index. The PubMed and Scopus databases and the Scientific Information Database were screened for relevant studies between 1995 and 2017, and 11 of the 112 collected studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The mean (95% confidence interval) concentration of AFM 1 was 5.85 ng/L (4.54 to 7.15 ng/L), which was lower than the European Union standard (25 ng/L). The mean prevalence of AFM 1 in breast milk in Iran was 42% (11 to 77%). The estimated daily intakes for male and female infants were 0.02 to 5.57 ng/kg and 0.02 to 3.68 ng/kg of body weight per day, respectively. The rank order of estimated daily intake for both male and female infants according to age was 1 week > 1 month > 6 months > 12 months. The hazard index for all age groups of infants in all provinces in Iran was less than 1. Therefore, infants in Iran were not considered at carcinogenic risk from AFM 1 in human breast milk.