Aflatoxin M 1 in raw milk in Croatia

Abstract

In this study the levels of aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1) of 61 milk samples delivered from small milking farms were determined in January, February, March and April (winter–spring season), and June, July and September (summer–autumn season) of 2009. The AFM 1 concentration was determined by competitive enzyme-immunoassay method. The maximum mean concentrations of AFM 1 recorded in winter–spring season were in the range of 35.8–58.6 ng/l and in summer–autumn season in the range of 11.6–14.9 ng/l. The AFM 1 levels determined in January, February, March and April were significantly higher in accordance with concentration of AFM 1 in June, July and September ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.0001, respectively). Also, there was significant difference ( P < 0.0001) between the mean concentrations of AFM 1 in samples taken all together in winter–spring and summer–autumn season. Only in one sample delivered in February the level of AFM 1 was higher than the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/l). Therefore, it was concluded that in 98.4% of milk samples in Croatia the levels of AFM 1 were below maximum tolerance level accepted by the European Union.