Aflatoxin M1 occurrence in pasteurized milk from various dairy factories in Iran

Abstract

Several studies have shown evidence of the carcinogenic nature of aflatoxin M1, which passes to humans through dairy derivatives. The objective of this study was to determine the contamination and the concentrations of aflatoxin M1 in pasteurized milk in the spring season. A total of 80 pasteurized milk samples was collected from ten dairy factories in Tabriz, northwest Iran, during spring 2011. The quantity of aflatoxin M1 was determined by a competitive enzyme immunoassay test based on antigen-antibody reaction. The overall mean level of AFM1 in the entire set of samples was 27.8ng/l. Based on the results, with regard to the existence of aflatoxin M1, 3/80 (3.8%) cases were detected as negative, aflatoxin M1 was detected in 77/80 (96.3%) of the samples. Taking into consideration the European Commission limits for aflatoxin M1 in liquid milk, 16 (20.1%) of the samples had AFM1 in excess of the maximum tolerance limit. According to factor- by-factory data and statistical analysis, significant differences were observed between factories (p < 0.05). No significant differences between month of sampling and aflatoxin M1 levels could be found. Reducing the levels of aflatoxins in animal feedstuff by improved processes and storage practices could be a major step in the removal of this problem. Furthermore, it is important to check and control dairy products and animal feed for the presence of aflatoxins in a routine manner to evaluate levels of hygiene management. Moreover, providing milk from multiple & well supervised cattle lead to better quality dairy factories.