Evaluation of the Presence of Yeasts, Moulds and Aflatoxin M۱ in Raw Sheep Milk in Mazandaran, Iran

Introduction: Aflatoxins are among the most important fungal mycotoxins with carcinogenic properties. Aflatoxin M۱ can be transmitted to humans through milk and dairy products. This study proposed to appraise the fungal and aflatoxin M۱ contaminations in sheep milk collcted from different farms in Mazandaran province. Methods: During July to September ۲۰۲۰, ۷۰ samples of raw milk from sheep were collected in disparate regions of Northern Iran. All of the samples were analyzed in order to presence of fungal agents by culturing the raw milk onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) as well as AFM۱ by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Of the fungal agents identified, the most frequently moulds were related to Aspergillus spp. (۳۸.۸%), Cladosporium spp. (۲۲.۴%) and Penicillium spp. (۱۳.۹%); and yeasts dependent on Trichosporon spp. (۴۷.۱ %), Rhodotorula spp. (۳۳.۸%) and Candida spp. (۱۴.۷%). Of the ۷۰ milk samples, all samples (۱۰۰%) had AFM۱ at condensation lower than the high level specified in European Union (EU) regulations, i.e., ۵۰ ng/L.  The AFM۱ contamination levels ranged from ۱.۱۵ to ۴۸.۵۰ ng/L with the average of ۱۳.۲۶ ± ۴.۸۷ ng/L. Conclusions: Contamination of sheep milk with mycotoxins, especially AFM۱, can be a potential risk for the consumer; therefore, raw sheep milk should be checked for these toxins.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aflatoxin M۱ ، Aspergillus ، Fungi ، Milk ، sheep