Measurement of aflatoxin M1 by ELISA method in raw milk samples of Varamin, Iran

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic,and toxic which are secondary metabolite of some Aspergillus spp. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) found in milk as a results of the uptake of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1. The aim of this study was to measure the quantity of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw milk samples in Varamin located In Tehran Provience of Islamic Republic of Iran. For this purpose, 64 milk samples were collected from dairy farms in Varamin throughout summer 2019 and analyzed for AFM1 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The European Community prescribes that the maximum level of AFM1 in liquid milk mustn t exceed 50 ppt. However, in line with the USA standard the level of AFM1 in liquid milk mustn’t be higher than 500 ppt.Methods: During the summer, 64 samples of raw cow’s milk were collected randomly from Varamin dairy farms. The samples were analyzed with a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.Results: AFM1 was found in 100% of the examined milk samples. 81- percent of the samples had AFM1 content greater than the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/l) accepted by European Union.Conclusion: Aflatoxin high concentration in milk cause extensive negative impact on public health and establish significance economic losses for producers. Therefore, it is necessary to determine methods for reducing aflatoxin levels in animal feed.

Keywords:

food contamination , aflatoxin M1 , food pathogens , ELISA , mil