Role of pH in the Mutagenicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize Tortillas during In Vitro Human Digestion Model

Role of pH in the Mutagenicity of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize Tortillas during In Vitro Human Digestion Model

Aflatoxins (AFs) are potent mutagens, carcinogens and teratogens for humans; thus their presence in food is of great concern. A maize tortilla survey in Mexico revealed that 17% are contaminated with AFs. The initial process to prepare tortillas includes boiling maize grains with lime and to assumpt that AFs in maize tortillas are destroyed, protecting consumers from their mutagenic effects.The purpose of this study was to investigate the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in tortillas during digestion.