A Survey of Aflatoxin M1 Contamination in Iranian White Cheese by ELISA Technique and HPLC

Aflatoxins are mold secondary metabolites produced by species of Aspergillus. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in one of the most common fungous toxins that can often be found in dairy products and has some serious complications. The aim of this study was to assess AFM1 contamination in Iranian white cheese by ELISA technique and HPLC. In this cross-sectional study, 129 samples of Iranian white cheese were gathered by ELISA technique and HPLC for AFM1 contamination. Data were analyzed by SPSS/22 usingT-student tests.AFM1 was found by ELISA technique in 68.22% and by HPLC 64.58 of examined samples (P>0.05). AFM1 contamination 33.56% cases of lower and 31.17% cases, being also higher than European Community and Codex standard (250 ng/kg). The finding of this study showed that samples were considered to be possible hazards for public health. Better control of animal feeding and dairy factories can reduce AFM1 contamination in dairy products.