Comprehensive dietary and internal exposure assessment of deoxynivalenol contamination in a high-risk area in China using duplicate diet studies and urinary biomarkers

This study assessed the exposure of 199 Chinese population samples from the Anhui Province, China, to deoxynivalenol (DON) based on their dietary intake and urinary biomarkers. This is the first study to compare between both procedures of DON exposure detection (diet study and human bio-monitoring approach) within the same population. Food and urine samples were collected from 199 healthy participants. The highest concentrations of DON and its derivatives were detected in wheat-based products. Both DON and its metabolite, DOM-1, were found in the urine samples. Total (free + conjugated) DON was detected in 99% of the samples, with a mean concentration at 109.21 ng mL−1. The mean estimated dietary intake (EDI) level calculated from food consumption and contamination data was obtained as 2.54 ± 1.63 μg kg−1 bw d−1, while the mean probable daily intake (PDI) based on urinary biomarkers was estimated to be 3.96 ± 4.20 μg kg−1 bw d−1. A significant correlation was evidenced between EDI and PDI, both exceeding the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. Elevated contaminant levels were observed in the adolescent group compared to children, adults, and elders, thereby indicating a potential health risk in them. The excretion rate of adolescents was approximately 2.5 times that of adult participants, possibly indicative of higher metabolic activity, which needs further in-depth investigation.