Determination of Aflatoxin M1 Levels in Some Cheese Types Consumed in Erzurum - Turkey

Abstract

Summary In this study the total 304 cheese samples (85 white cheese, 75 kashar cheese, 62 civil cheese, 82 cream cheese) were examined in terms of AFM1. The AFM1 content and concentrations of the samples were researched by competitive ELISA method. Determinable limit was 50 ng/kg and it was determined that white cheese samples included 82.4% AFM1, kashar cheese samples 80%, civil cheese samples 19.4% and cream cheese samples 84.2%. According to European Commission limit (250 ng/kg), the sample incidence exceeding the acceptable limits were 27.1%, 34.7%, 17.1% in white cheese, kashar cheese and cream cheese samples, respectively. The sample ratio exceeding the limits regulated by Turkish Food Codex (500 ng/kg) was determined in white cheese, kashar cheese and cream cheese samples as 16.5% (14/85), 14.7% (11/75) and 6.1% (5/82) respectively, any sample exceeding these limits was not met in civil cheese samples. As understood from these results, high AFM1 level determined in some cheese types is an important problem threatening the public health in Turkey.