Occurrence of Aflatoxin M۱ in Raw and Pasteurized Milk Produced in Rafsanjan, Iran

Introduction: Aflatoxins, known as causative factors of hepatic and extra-hepatic carcinogenesis within humans, are extremely teratogenic, mutagenic, toxic, and carcinogenic compounds. Materials & Methods: This study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M۱ (AFM۱) in ۴۰ raw milk and ۴۷ pasteurized milk samples collected during spring and winter. In order to analyze the samples, the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) procedure was used. The statistical methods used in this study were based on normal confidence intervals and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Aflatoxin M۱ was detected in ۹۷.۵% of the raw milk ranging from ۶.۵۲ to ۶۸.۱۷ ng/l and ۹۵.۷% of the pasteurized milk, ranging from ۰.۸ to ۵۸.۱۳ ng/l. Toxin levels in ۱۰% of the raw milk and ۲.۱% of the pasteurized milk samples exceeded the Iranian national standard limit i.e. ۵۰ ng/l.  Due to seasonal variations, mean concentration of AFM۱ in the samples collected in winter was significantly (P < ۰.۰۳) higher than those collected in the summer. Conclusion: Large amount of AFM۱ in milk samples might be a potential hazard for the public health. Reducing the levels of AFB۱ in animal feedstuffs can be regarded as the initial step to control the transfer of AFM۱ to humans.

Keywords:

Aflatoxin M۱ , Raw milk , Pasteurized milk , ELISA , Iran , : آفلاتوکسین M۱ , شیر خام , شیر پاستوریزه , الیزا