Determination of Aflatoxin M1 in raw milk collected from the traditional farms in Ahvaz area using ELISA

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a secondary metabolite of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that can be foundin milk as a result of the ingestion of the contaminated feedstuffs with some fungi byruminants. Consumption of contaminated milk and other dairies with AFM1 may have harmeffects on consumers. Since January 2007 to June 2008, 90 raw milk samples were collected from the traditional dairy farms in Ahvaz area and analyzed for AFM1 by ELISA technique.Almost 100% samples were found to be contaminated with AFM1 by different levels. 13samples (14.4%) exceeded the legal level of AFM1 in milk accepted by most countries (50ng/L). Eight samples (8.9%) were contaminated with level 30-50 ng/L and twenty foursamples (26.7 %) showed contamination level from 10-30 ng/L. The rest of samples (50%), proud to have low contamination with levels from 0 - 10 ng/L.In conclusion, AFM1 levels in some samples are significantly high that can be a potentiallypublic health problem. To control the problem, dairy cow feeds should be stored in a way that they do not become contaminated and milk products have to be under a continuousmonitoring.