A Study of the Occurrence of Aflatoxin M۱ in Dairy Products Marketed in Urmia, Iran

The purpose of this survey was to evaluate natural occurrence and content of Aflatoxin M۱ (AFM۱) in dairy products marketed in Urmia (Iran). During September ۲۰۰۷, ۴۰ samples of pasteurized milk, ۴۰ samples of Ultra High Temperature Treated (UHT) milk, ۴۰ samples of creamy cheese and ۴۰ samples of Iranian Feta cheese were collected from different supermarkets in Urmia city. AFM۱ contents were determined through competitive Enzyme Linked Imunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. All milk samples analyzed showed mean AFM۱ concentrations lower than the permissible level of ۵۰ ng L-۱ (۲۳.۲۲±۸.۶۵, and ۱۹.۵۳±۷.۴۷ ng L-۱ in pasteurized milk, and UHT milk, respectively). The mean levels of AFM۱ contamination were ۴۳.۳۱±۱۸.۵۱ ng L-۱ in Feta cheeses, ۲۱.۹۶±۳.۲۳ ng L-۱ in creamy cheeses. The potential risk of human exposure to aflatoxin M۱ via consumption of milk and milk products is well known. Therefore, dairy products must be evaluated for aflatoxin and kept apart from fungal contamination as much as possible.

Keywords:

AFM۱ , Milk , Cheese , Enzyme Linked Imunosorbent Assay (ELISA)