M.SC Project 

Background: Aflatoxins, known for their carcinogenic properties and produced by Aspergillus fungi, pose a substantial threat to public health, particularly in regions with hot and humid climates where individuals are exposed to these toxins through contaminated food. The primary objective of this study was to assess the extent of aflatoxin exposure in the UAE by employing Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) as a biomarker in urine samples from adult participants. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between dietary habits and urinary AFM1 levels

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 71 adult males and 73 adult females from the UAE, mostly aged 18–25, were recruited using convenience sampling from the University of Sharjah. Although recruited from one university, participants represented various emirates across the UAE. Urine samples obtained from participants were analyzed for AFM1 concentrations using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Structured questionnaires were administered to collect information on the dietary and lifestyle habits of participants. Various statistical analyses, including linear regression and the Mann-Whitney U test, were performed to explore the relationship between dietary factors and AFM1 levels.

Results: AFM1 was detected in 69% of the samples analyzed, with males exhibiting a higher mean level (0.912 ng/mg creatinine) compared to females (0.676 ng/mg creatinine). The overall mean concentration of AFM1 was 0.792 ng/mg creatinine. A significant correlation was observed between rice consumption and heightened AFM1 exposure among males, while no such correlation was identified in females.

Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into aflatoxin exposure in the UAE, highlighting a gender-specific correlation between rice consumption and aflatoxin levels among males. These findings have important implications for public health interventions and emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance and stringent food safety regulations to mitigate the risks associated with aflatoxin contamination.

Masood MA, Khaled R, Bin-Ismail A, Semerjian L, Abass K. Occupational health in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): A systematic review and call for comprehensive policy development. PLoS One. 2024 Dec 10;19(12):e0312251. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312251. PMID: 39656729; PMCID: PMC11630603.