Determination of Aflatoxin M1 in Raw Milk Produced in Qazvin Province By ELISA and HPLC

Use of raw milk and dairy products containing aflatoxin M1 has led to concern in consumers. The aim of this study was to determine the aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk in Qazvin Province. In this research، 170 raw cow milk were collected from dairy farm، dairy factories، milk collection centers and milk supply centers in Qazvin Province during winter 2013. The samples were analyzed with a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) kit and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the samples with aflatoxin higher than 0. 5 ng/ml. Statistical tests including ANOVA and Tukey were used to analyze the data. Aflatoxin M1 contamination was observed in 100% of the milk samples. Among the milk samples (33. 52%) had a contamination of aflatoxin M1، higher than threshold level of The Institute of Standards & Industrial Research of Iran (0. 5 ppb)، while in 66. 48%، concentration of aflatoxin M1 was less than the limits permitted. The mean concentration of aflatoxin in dairy farm was 0. 215 ng/ml، in dairy factories was 0. 268 ng/ml، in milk collection centers was 0. 734 ng/ml and in milk supply centers was 0. 409 ng/ml. Due to high level of contamination observed in samples، regular monitoring of production and distribution of milk and dairy products is necessary.