Determination of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk and traditional cheeses retailed in Egyptian markets

Abstract

AFM1 (Aflatoxin M1) is the major mycotoxin frequently found in milk and dairy products. A total number of 50 raw milk samples and 150 cheese samples (fifty of soft cheese, hard cheese and processed cheese samples) were analyzed. All of the samples were randomly purchased from Egyptian supermarkets in Alexandria city from February 2008 to March 2009. The method used was ELISA. Results showed that the mean concentration values of AFM1 in soft and hard cheese samples were higher than that in raw milk samples.Processed cheese samples were the least contaminated samples. All positive samples of raw milk and cheeses are exceeding Egyptian regulations (free from AFM1) while all of them are within the US regulations (500 ng/l or Kg). All positive samples of cheese were exceeding the European Commission regulation (50 ng/l or Kg), while 52.6% of examined raw milk samples were exceeding the European Commission regulation.   Key words: Aflatoxins M1, Raw milk, cheese, ELISA.