Aflatoxin M1 Contamination of Pasteurized Cheese Produced by Two Dairy Factories in Tehran, Assessed by ELISA Technique

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in one of the most common mycotoxins that can often be found in dairy products and has some serious complications. The aim of this study is to assess AFM1 contamination of pasteurized cheese produced by two dairy factories in Tehran.

In this cross-sectional study, 100 samples of pasteurized cheese produced by two factories were gathered in both winter and summer seasons and examined by ELISA technique for AFM1 contamination. Data were analyzed by SPSS using T-test and Man-withiney statistical tests.

AFM1 was found in 62% of examined samples. The average contamination level was 53.39 (±51.90) ng/kg. AFM1 contamination of six samples (9.3% of positive cases) exceeded Iran’s standard level (200 ng/kg). Mean contamination of AFM1 in summer cheese samples was significantly lower than winter samples (p< 0.03).

The finding of this study showed that produced cheese in Iran have high contamination of AFM1 which can threaten public health. Better control of animal feeding and dairy factories can reduce AFM1 contamination in dairy products.