Aflatoxin M 1 and enteropathogenic microorganism levels in milk samples vended in Cross River State were investigated. Thirty one milk samples were purchased from supermarkets and markets across the three (3) senatorial districts of Cross River State during August to November 2012. The milk samples were grouped into three (3) categories; A (Evaporated milk samples), B (Powdered milk samples), C (Infant milk formula). The milk samples were analyzed for aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1) by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while enteropathogens (Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Mould, Mesophilic Aerobic bacteria and Coliform) were cultured for microbiological sensitivity test using standard methods. Aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1) was found in 100 percent of all the milk samples that were analyzed in this study. The contamination levels ranged from 0.06µg/l to 0.07µg/l, while the mean value was 0.07µg/l. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the mean concentrations of AFM 1 of the milk samples among the different categories. All the different milk samples (100%) exceeded the European Union maximum acceptable levels (0.05µg/l). None of the milk samples exceeded the Nigerian permissible limit (0.5µg/l). Salmonella, Escherichia Coli and Coliform bacteria were not detected in the milk samples. Aerobic Mesophilic bacteria and Mould were present in the milk samples but did not exceed the standard of 10 5 cfu/ml for aerobic mesophilic bacteria and 10 2 cfu/ml for mould. It is concluded that the milk samples vended in Cross River State contain aflatoxin M 1 and detectable enteropathogen levels which fall within Nigerian regulatory limits.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.