OCHRATOXIN-A AND AFLATOXINS IN BREAST-MILK SAMPLES FROM SIERRA-LEONE

Breast milks from 113 mothers in two 'Under-Five Clinics' in the South ern Province of Sierra Leone, namely, Njala and Bo, were examined for their mycotoxin content. Only 10 were mycotoxin-free. Eighty-eight per cent of samples contained various aflatoxins and 35% contained ochrat oxin A (OTA). Few samples (15%) had a single mycotoxin. Thirty-six (32 %) had two mycotoxins and 50 (40%) had three or more. The occurrence o f OTA in combination with various aflatoxins was recorded. It is concl uded that infants in Sierra Leone are exposed to OTA and aflatoxins at levels which in some cases far exceed those permissible in animal fee d in developed countries.