Aflatoxin M1 and Ochratoxin A in Raw Bulk Milk from French Dairy Herds

Abstract

Mycotoxins in milk are a public health concern and have to be regularly monitored. A survey on the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in raw bulk milk was conducted in 2003 in the northwest of France, the main French milk-producing basin. Randomly selected farms (n = 132) were characterized by a diet based on corn silage and containing a large proportion of on-farm produced cereals, feeding sources that are frequently contaminated by mycotoxins. Farms were surveyed twice in winter and in summer. At each sampling time, a trained surveyor completed a questionnaire recording farm management procedures and production traits. The AFM1 was found in 3 out of 264 samples but at levels (26 ng/L or less) that are below the European legislation limit of 50 ng/L. Traces of AFM1 (less than 8 ng/L) were also found in 6 other samples. The OTA was detected in 3 samples also at low levels, 5 to 8 ng/L. Farms that tested positive to the presence of mycotoxins, 12 in total including 6 farms that had traces of AFM1, differed from negative farms by a more extensive use of total mixed rations, 58 vs. 27%. In addition, the positive farms tended to have lower milk yields. Although the incidence of milk contamination with AFM1 and OTA at the farm level was low during the period studied, production and management data from the surveyed farms suggest a link between feeding management practices and mycotoxin contamination.

Ochratoxin A in Ruminants–A Review on Its Degradation by Gut Microbes and Effects on Animals

“…in small children who consume large quantities of milk. In a survey on raw bulk milk in the northwest of France, in 132 farms surveyed in winter and summer using diets based on maize silage and containing large portion of farm produced cereal grains, the overall incidence of milk contamination with OTA at farm level was low [152]. OTA was detected in three out of 264 samples at a low level of 0.005 to 0.008 ng/mL.…”

Silage Contribution to Aflatoxin B1 Contamination of Dairy Cattle Feed

“…In the case of AFB 1 , its presence in the food of dairy cattle leads to the emergence of AFM 1 in milk and dairy products (Boudra et al, 2007;Veldman et al, 1992). Aflatoxin B1 (ug kg-1) The natural occurrence of AFB 1 in feeds for dairy cows has shown that, in many cases aflatoxin levels exceeded regulation limits.…”

Análisis De Aflatoxina M1 en Leche Fresca De Establos Lecheros De Arequipa

“…Estas contaminan los cereales y forrajes, ya sea en el campo, al momento de la cosecha, en el almacenamiento o en el procesamiento de alimentos balanceados, cuando las condiciones son favorables para su desarrollo (Espindola, 2006;Boudra et al, 2007).…”

“…Luego que un animal la ingiere, de 0.5 a 5% de la toxina ingerida es biotransformada a Aflatoxina M 1 en el hígado (González et al, 2004), la cual es un metabolito tan tóxico como el contaminante original, y es posteriormente excretado en la leche. La cantidad de Aflatoxina M 1 encontrada en la leche representa normalmente del 1 al 2% de la Aflatoxina B 1 ingerida, llegando a encontrarse hasta el 6% en vacas de alta producción (Boudra et al, 2007).…”