Abstract:
The use of novasil clay as an intervention technique to prevent aflatoxin poisoning
in animals and humans has proven to be effective. In this study, evaluation of the
safety and efficacy of novasil clay was carried out in 60 days in children in the
Ejura Sekyedumase District, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Also, the relationship
between growth indicators and aflatoxin in children was investigated. Stratified
cluster sampling was used to recruit participants into the study. Healthy (200
children) within the age bracket of 2-9 years were put into two arms of study, which
include 100 test group and 100 placebo group. One arm received 1.5g of novasil
(test material) whiles the other arm received calcium sulphate as placebo. Full blood
count, reduced glutathione, liver, kidney biomarkers, aflatoxin M1 and growth
indicators were measured. Out of the total population of 200 children, 26 (13%)
were Stunting 6 (3 %) were underweight. Change in serum biochemistry parameters
and calcium levels between the placebo and novasil groups were not statistically
significant (P > 0.05). At the end of the treatment cycle, reduced blood glutathione
levels increased significantly in the novasil treated group. Aflatoxin M1 excretion
in urine showed a significant reduction (P = 0.033) from a mean of 811.2
AFM1pg/mg creatinine to 329.1AFM1pg/mg creatinine at the end of the novasil
treatment, representing a 60.7 % reduction. The placebo group demonstrated a
significant increase (P = 0.02) of 44 % AFM1 excretion in urine from a mean of
801.3 to 1801.2 AFM1pg/mg creatinine. At the end of the 60 day intervention study,
novasil was safe with no adverse effect and caused a reduction of aflatoxin bioavailability in children.
