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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Alcohol and acetaldehyde in African fermented milk mursik - A possible etiologic factor for high incidence of esophageal cancer in Western Kenya
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, Volume 22, No. 1, Year 2013
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Description
Background: Esophageal cancer is unusually frequent in Western Kenya, despite the low prevalence of classical risk factors such as heavy drinking and tobacco smoking. Among Kenyans consumption of fermented milk is an old tradition. Our hypothesis is that alcohol and acetaldehyde are produced during the fermentation process and that their carcinogenic potential contributes to the high incidence of esophageal cancer. Methods: Eight samples of mursik milk starter cultures were collected from different Kalenjin families in the Rift Valley province, Western Kenya. A protocol provided by the families was used for milk fermentation. Ethanol and acetaldehyde levels were measured by gas chromatography. The microbial flora in starter cultures was identified by 16S and 18S sequencing. Results: 7/8 starter cultures produced mutagenic (>100 μmol/L) levels of acetaldehyde and 4/8 starter cultures produced more than 1,000 mmol/L of acetaldehyde. The highest alcohol levels (mean 79.4 mmol/L) were detected in the four fermented milks with highest acetaldehyde production. The mean number of microbial species in the starter cultures was 5 (range 2-8). Yeasts were identified in all starter cultures (mean 1.5 species/milk) but their proportion of the total microbial count varied markedly (mean 35%, range 7%-90%). A combination of yeast and lactobacilli, especially Candida krusei with Lactobacillus kefiri, with the exclusion of other species, seemed to correlate with higher acetaldehyde and ethanol levels. Conclusions: Significant levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde were produced during mursik fermentation. Impact: When ingested several times daily the repeated exposure to carcinogenic levels of acetaldehyde may contribute to esophageal carcinogenesis. ©2012 AACR.
Authors & Co-Authors
Nieminen, Mikko T.
Finland, Helsinki
Lääketieteellinen Tiedekunta
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Finland, Helsinki
Helsinki University Hospital
United Kingdom, Manchester
The University of Manchester
Novak-Frazer, Lily N.
United Kingdom, Manchester
The University of Manchester
Collins, Rebecca
United Kingdom, Manchester
The University of Manchester
Dawsey, Sonja P.
Kenya, Bomet
Tenwek Hospital
Dawsey, Sanford M.
United States, Rockville
National Cancer Institute Nci
Abnet, Christian C.
United States, Rockville
National Cancer Institute Nci
White, Russell E.
Kenya, Bomet
Tenwek Hospital
Freedman, Neal D.
United States, Rockville
National Cancer Institute Nci
Mwachiro, Michael M.
Kenya, Bomet
Tenwek Hospital
Bowyer, Paul
United Kingdom, Manchester
The University of Manchester
Salaspuro, Mikko
Finland, Helsinki
Lääketieteellinen Tiedekunta
Richardson, Riina
Finland, Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto
Finland, Helsinki
Helsinki University Hospital
United Kingdom, Manchester
The University of Manchester
Statistics
Citations: 40
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-12-0908
ISSN:
10559965
Research Areas
Cancer
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Kenya