Monitoring aflatoxin M1 levels in donkey milk produced in Greece, intended for human consumption

Abstract

Donkey milk is considered as a precious food on nutritional and microbiological grounds. Nevertheless, there is lack of evidence on the issue of chemical contaminants present in donkey milk. Aflatoxin M1 is a contaminant with serious health hazards, that is frequently present in other types of milk. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the levels of aflatoxin M1 in donkey milk in Greece, intended for human consumption. Thirty-six donkey milk samples were collected over a period of a year from 12 donkey farms, representing 80% of the donkey farms. Samples were analysed with ELISA and analytical results were statistically associated with seasonality and type of feeds used in donkey rearing. Aflatoxin M1 was found in 5 out of 36 samples (13.9%), with a range of 5-26.5 ng/l, while in no sample the toxin was found at a concentration above the EU limit (50 ng/l). There was no statistical difference found among seasons or different types of feed used in donkey farming (P>0.05). Donkey milk in Greece presents very low levels of aflatoxin M1, possibly due to the type of feeds used for donkeys rearing and also due to the very low carryover of aflatoxin B1 to M1 that has been reported for donkeys. Donkey milk is considered as safe with relation to aflatoxin M1, but constant monitoring is advised, as aflatoxin levels in plants for feed are affected by many factors.