Investigating the Presence of Aflatoxin M1 and Microbial Contamination in Raw, Traditional, and Pasteurized Milk Produced in Qom City, Iran, in 2022

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites found in foods. After eating foods containing aflatoxin B1, the ruminants metabolize the toxin and excrete aflatoxin M1 in their milk. The permissible level of aflatoxin in milk is not more than 50 ng/L. This study aims to investigate the amount of aflatoxin M1 in the collected raw, traditional, and synthetic milk using the ELISA method. We also intend to determine the adulteration of raw milk in Qom City, Iran. Methods: From the supply centers, 180 samples of raw, milk, and pasteurized were prepared in Qom and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The chi-square test was performed using SPSS software, version 26. The level of significance was set at <0.005. Results: Investigations showed that all sampled milk was contaminated with aflatoxin, but the contamination was not beyond the standard limit. However, the level of microbial contamination was high. Regarding milk adulteration, we found 4, 0, and 2 cases of adulteration in raw, traditional, and industrial milk samples, respectively. Conclusion: The milk tested in this study is safe for consumption regarding aflatoxin M1 contamination. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of aflatoxin B1 levels in livestock diets and aflatoxin M1 in dairy milk is necessary, especially for countries at high risk for aflatoxin M1 contamination.

Keywords

• aflatoxin m1
• milk
• adulteration
• qom city
• iran