Quantification of aflatoxin M₁ carry-over rate from feed to soft cheese

From January to December 2016, samples of milk and feeds of dairy cattle were monthly collected. The concentration of mycotoxins in all matrices was determined using the enzymatic immunoassay technique. The average concentration of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) in feed was 3.01, 218.5 and 467 ug/kg, respectively. The average AFB₁ carry-over rate was 0.84% with a variation between 0.05 to 5.93%. Particle size of the feed (P = 0.030) and individual milk production (P = 0.001) affected this rate. Mini-soft cheeses were produced using milk naturally contaminated with aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) as raw material to study its distribution both in whey and in cheese. The average level of AFM₁ in milk was 0.014 μg/l. None of milk samples exceeded the maximum level accepted for AFB₁ by the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) legislation (0.5 μg/l) and only 5.5% of samples exceeded the European Union (UE) regulations (0.05 μg/l). After the cheese elaboration, the concentration of AFM₁ was determined in whey and in cheese. The greatest proportion (60%) was detected in whey while 40% AFM₁ remained in the cheese. However, the concentration of AFM₁ was higher in the cheese compared to the original milk.