engleski

Control of aflatoxin m1 in raw cow milk

In the last decade incidence of the presence of mycotoxin aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk and dairy products has been reported in different countries in Europe. AFM1 is the metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) which is secreted in milk, after feeding dairy cattle with AFB1 contaminated corn and silage. Although the climate in Europe is moderate and is not initially known for the occurrence of elevated aflatoxin levels, in extremely hot summer and long periods of drought without rain, contamination with toxigenic moulds can occur and consequently aflatoxins synthesis. IARC classified AFM1 as a Group 1 carcinogen according to evidence of direct carcinogenic effects of AFM1 and data on the genetic and related effects of AFM1 in humans. Also, AFM1 is thermostable compound and cannot be inactivated by the production methods and heat treatment processes. Therefore, continuous control of AFM1 levels in milk is required. In this study concentration of AFM1 was measured in total of 454 raw cow milk samples collected in different regions of Croatia during the period September to December of 2018. AFM1 concentrations were measured by a competitive enzyme immunoassay kit ELISA validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 22.2 ng/kg and 34.2 ng/kg were determined. AFM1 concentrations were measured within the range from 2.09 to 95.1 ng/kg and mean value was 9.03 ng/kg. Only 4% of samples were with values higher than LOD but lower than the maximal residue level (MRL) of 50 ng/kg determined by European Union (EU). For thirteenth milk samples (2.9%) AFM1 concentrations exceeded the EU MRL and the highest level of 95.1 ng/kg was found in milk from the central region. Results suggested further systematic control of AFM1 in milk for prevention and reduction the potential toxic health risks of AFM1 for consumers.

aflatoxin M1, milk, cow, food safety, ELISA, Croatia

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