Determination of Aflatoxin M۱ in Pasteurized Milk Consumed in Kerman Province

Background & Aims: Aflatoxin M۱ (AFM۱) is a major metabolite of aflatoxin B۱ detected in the milk of mammals that their foods have been contaminated with aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a group of highly toxic metabolites produced by the common fungi Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus. They are among the most potent carcinogens found in foods. Considering its risk to the human health and high consumption of milk and diary products, this study was undertaken to determine the level of AFM۱in pasteurized milk in Kerman province for the first time. Method: From ۱۹ Dec. ۲۰۰۷ to ۱۹ March ۲۰۰۸, a total of ۷۶ pasteurized milk samples produced by eight factories were collected and checked for the level of AFM۱ using immunoaffinity column and highperformance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorimetric detector. Results: The minimum detected level was ۰.۰۰۲ ppb and the amount of AFM۱ in milk samples ranged from ۰.۰۰۲ to ۰.۱۴ ppb. No sample had greater AFM۱ levels than the maximum allowed levels in milk accepted by FDA (o.۵ppb), however, in ۳۴ (۴۴.۷%) samples AFM۱ level was over the maximum allowed limit in milk accepted by the European Union (۰.۰۵ppb). Mean AFM۱ level in milk samples obtained from Jiroft factory was the least (۰.۰۱۹±۰.۰۱ppb) compared to that for other factories. Conclusion: Although the amount of AFM۱ in samples selected from commonly consumed milks in Kerman province, does not appear to create a serious public health problem at present, because of high consumption of milk and diary products especially in children it is necessary to consider it as a serious health problem.

کلیدواژه ها:

Milk ، Aflatoxin M۱ ، HPLC ، Kerman