Occurrence of aflatoxin M₁ in UHT milk and infant formula samples consumed in Burdur, Turkey
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, 15030, Burdur, Turkey, fatmasa@mehmetakif.edu.tr.
Abstract:
Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites found in foods and feeds. Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁), a metabolite of the potent carcinogen aflatoxin B₁(AFB₁), occurs in milk from animals consuming feed contaminated with AFB1. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and levels of AFM₁ in ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk and infant formula samples consumed in Burdur City. During 2011, 41 samples of UHT milk and 33 samples of infant formula were randomly collected from different supermarkets and drug stores. The occurrence and contamination levels of AFM₁ in the samples were investigated using the competitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) method. AFM₁ was detected in 30 samples (73.2%) in concentrations ranging from 6.42 to 71.33 ng/L (mean level, 17.76 ng/L). Altogether, only three (7.3%) samples of UHT milk were contaminated at levels above the Turkish legal limit (50 ng/L). However, AFM₁ was not detected in all infant formula samples. It is concluded that despite the widespread occurrence of AFM₁ in UHT milk samples, the contamination levels were not serious for public health.
Insights
Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) was found in most UHT milk samples in Burdur City, but levels were generally below legal limits. Infant formula samples showed no detectable AFM₁ contamination, indicating low public health risk.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Mycotoxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites found in food and feed.
- Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) is a metabolite of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), a potent carcinogen, and can be present in milk.
- Contamination of animal feed with AFB₁ can lead to AFM₁ in milk products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the occurrence and levels of AFM₁ in ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk and infant formula in Burdur City.
- To assess the potential public health risk associated with AFM₁ contamination in these products.
Main Methods:
- A total of 41 UHT milk and 33 infant formula samples were collected in 2011.
- Samples were analyzed for AFM₁ using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
Main Results:
- AFM₁ was detected in 73.2% of UHT milk samples, with concentrations ranging from 6.42 to 71.33 ng/L (mean 17.76 ng/L).
- Only 7.3% of UHT milk samples exceeded the Turkish legal limit of 50 ng/L for AFM₁.
- AFM₁ was not detected in any of the infant formula samples.
Conclusions:
- AFM₁ is widespread in UHT milk consumed in Burdur City.
- The detected levels of AFM₁ in UHT milk and infant formula do not pose a significant public health concern based on current Turkish regulations.
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