Aflatoxin contamination in cow milk during wet and dry season in selected rural areas of Sidama zone Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Aflatoxin M1 was determined in 240 milk samples collected from Hulla and Dale districts, Ethiopia, by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) detection. It has been found that 96.7% of the respondents did not have any awareness about aflatoxin. Laboratory analysis showed that AFM1 was detected in 77.91% of the total raw milk samples collected within a range of 0.00–0.038 and with an average of 0.0068 µg/L. Average AFM1 in raw milk during dry season (0.008 ± 0.0093 µg/L) was significantly higher (P < .05) than wet season (0.0049 ± 0.0041 µg/L). The level AFM1 detected in raw milk under the current study is lower than the limits set by EU and USA and hence can be considered as safe milk to consume. But the lower level of awareness about aflatoxin in the farmers showed that there is risk of aflatoxin contamination, so awareness creation and aflatoxin control measured should be implemented.

Keywords

• Milk
• Aflatoxin
• AFM1
• ELISA
• Ethiopia