Detection of Aflatoxin M1 and Several Heavy Metals in Medical Infant Milk Formula Sold in Iraqi Markets

Abstract

Milk is essential for infants, and infant feeding should be emphasized in any program to ensure good child health. To find harmful and trace elements in different milk powder brands bought in Iraq and fed to babies with metabolic syndrome, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used. Fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was also used to measure aflatoxin M1. The result reveals the concentrations of elements close to the product label's description, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, selenium, iron, and manganese. Only the potassium element was higher than what was listed on the product label. Additionally, no quantities of hazardous elements like lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), or arsenic (As) were found. As for aflatoxin M1, it was found that the PKU milk formula and lactose-free milk formula were found to be free of AFM1 contamination, indicating that they are safe to consume. AFM1 was found in concentrations above the permissible limit in the MSUD milk formula (0.08 µg/kg). The reason for this issue could be inadequate storage. The other two types, TYR and OAc milk formula, were lower than the allowable limit of 0.05 µg/kg. As a result, there needs to be more oversight of the milk that newborns with metabolic syndrome consumele S. aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae in community settings.