Measurement of aflatoxin M۱ by ELISA method in milk samples produced by cattle in farms of Shahre Ghods, Shahriar, Iran

Background/objective: Aflatoxin M۱ (AFM۱) is a metabolite of the aflatoxin B۱ found in the liver of livestock, as a result of feeding livestock with contaminated food. Certain species of Aspergillus are responsible for producing aflatoxin. The present study was performed to evaluate the measurement of AFM۱, by ELISA method, in milk samples collected from dairy farms of Shahre Ghods, Shahriar (Tehran, Iran). Material and Method: In this study, during autumn (۲۰۱۶), ۸۲ samples of milk from ۴۱ dairy farms in Shahre Ghods, Shahriar provinces, were randomly selected and assessed AFM۱ contamination using the ELISA. On centrifugation of milk, the supernatant including the milk fats was separated and the pellet lacking the milk fat was analyzed through competitive ELISA test, and the amount of aflatoxin was determined. Results: The results obtained from ELISA assay revealed that ۹۰% of samples were contaminated by AFM۱ to a measurable amount and only ۸ samples (۹.۷%) crossed the Iran Standard Level of aflatoxin contamination (۵۰ ng/l). Conclusion: Milk and dairy products may be contaminated, and since AFM۱ is a serious form of threat for human health and is potentially dangerous, it is essential to constantly assess the livestock feed for aflatoxin contamination to minimize or eliminate its amount in milk or dairy products.

Keywords:

Aflatoxin M۱ , Aspergillus , Cattle farms , Elisa , Milk