Aflatoxin M1 in Pasteurized Milk in Babol city, Mazandaran Province, Iran
Saa Sefidgar1, M Mirzae, M Assmar
1Dept. of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Background:
Aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) is the metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB(1)) and is found in milk when lactating animals are fed with contaminated feedstuff. The presence of AFM(1) in milk, pose a major risk for humans especially kids as it can have immunosuppressive, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. The present study is aimed to investigate the occurrence of AFM(1) in subsidized pasteurized milk in Babol, Mazandaran Province, Iran.
Methods:
Some 72 pasteurized milk packages were collected from supermarkets in various districts of city during January to March 2006. Milk samples were centrifuged and amounts of 100 μl of skimmed milk were tested for AFM(1) contamination by competitive ELISA.
Results:
All the samples (100%) exhibited contamination with AFM(1). The contamination levels means in January, February, and March were 227.85, 229.64, and 233.1ng/l, respectively. The amount of AFM(1) in all the samples were above 50ng/l, the threshold set by the European community regulations.
Conclusion:
Monitoring of AFM(1) level should be part of quality control procedures in dairy factories, particularly the ones providing infant's milk. Production of safer and healthier milk and other dairy products with minimum AFM(1) level can be achieved by adopting prophylactic measures including control of humidity and water content of feedstuff, which favors mould production.
Insights
Aflatoxin M(1) was detected in all pasteurized milk samples in Babol, Iran, exceeding safe levels. This highlights the need for dairy quality control and feed management to protect consumers, especially children, from this milk contaminant.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety
- Mycotoxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)), a milk metabolite of aflatoxin B1, poses health risks including immunosuppression and carcinogenicity.
- Contaminated feedstuff is the primary source of AFM(1) in milk, endangering consumers, particularly infants.
- This study addresses the occurrence of AFM(1) in subsidized pasteurized milk within Babol, Iran.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and levels of Aflatoxin M(1) in pasteurized milk.
- To assess the risk posed by AFM(1) contamination in the Iranian dairy market.
- To inform public health and dairy industry quality control measures.
Main Methods:
- 72 pasteurized milk packages were collected from Babol supermarkets between January and March 2006.
- Skimmed milk samples (100 μl) were analyzed for AFM(1) contamination using competitive ELISA.
- Data analysis focused on quantifying AFM(1) levels and determining contamination rates.
Main Results:
- 100% of analyzed pasteurized milk samples were contaminated with Aflatoxin M(1).
- Mean AFM(1) levels ranged from 227.85 to 233.1 ng/l across the study period.
- All detected AFM(1) levels significantly exceeded the European community's regulatory threshold of 50 ng/l.
Conclusions:
- Routine monitoring of AFM(1) is crucial for dairy factory quality control, especially for infant milk production.
- Prophylactic strategies, including managing feed moisture to prevent mould growth, are essential for reducing AFM(1) in milk.
- Ensuring safer dairy products requires stringent control over feedstuff and milk processing to minimize mycotoxin exposure.
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