A Survey of Aflatoxin M1 Contamination in Iranian White Cheese

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a hepatocarcinogen found in milk of animals that have consumed feeds contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This study was undertaken to determine the presence and levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in Iranian white cheese consumed in Isfahan and Shahr-e Kord, Iran. A total of 70 cheese samples were randomly obtained from retail outlets. Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) technique was used to determine the presence and the level of AFM1. In 45 of the 70 cheese samples examined (64.3%), the presence of AFM1 was detected in concentrations between 44ng/kg and 719ng/kg. The mean level of AFM1 of positive samples was 218.8 ng/kg. AFM1 in 10 samples (14.3%) were higher than the maximum tolerance limit (250 ng/kg) accepted by the European countries. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the mean concentrations of AFM1 in cheese samples produced in spring and summer. It was concluded that widespread occurrence of AFM1 in Iranian white cheese samples were considered to be possible hazards for public health especially children.