Exposure assessment for fumonisins in the former Transkei region of South Africa

The fumonisins are mycotoxins produced mainly by Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum in maize, the predominant cereal staple for subsistence farming communities in southern Africa. In order to assess exposure to these mycotoxins in the Bizana (now known as Mbizana) and Centane magisterial areas of the former Transkei region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the actual maize consumption by different age groups in these communities was measured. In the groups 1–9 years (n = 215) and 10–17 (n = 240) years, mean consumption (±standard error) was 246 ± 10.8 and 368 ± 10.3 g per person day−1, respectively, with no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the magisterial areas. For adults (18–65 years) mean maize consumption in Bizana (n = 229) and Centane (n = 178) were significantly different (p < 0.05) at 379 ± 10.5 and 456 ± 11.9 g per person day−1, respectively. An exposure assessment was performed by combining the maize consumption distribution with previously determined levels of tot...