Assessment of aflatoxin M1 and B1 in some dairy products with referring to the analytical performances of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in comparison to high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

Background and Aim: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a major fungal metabolite found in milk coming from aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contaminated rations and is subsequently present in milk-based products demonstrating a serious public health hazard. This study aimed to investigate the levels of AFM1 and AFB1 in milk and some dairy products consumed widely by infants and children. Materials and Methods: This study investigated the incidence of AFM1 in 105 samples of processed cheese, Ras cheese, and raw milk (35 of each) retailed in the Egyptian markets. The degree of sensitivity and accuracy was evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method followed by the estimation of the positive samples using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Mold count was determined in the examined samples by investigating AFB1 content using HPLC. Results: AFM1 was found in all investigated Ras cheese, raw milk, and 82.86% of the processed cheese samples with mean values of 51.05±6.19, 40.27±3.996, and 10.77±1.39 ng/kg, respectively. Moreover, there was statistically no significant difference between AFM1 levels in the core and crust parts of the tested Ras cheese. AFM1 contaminated Ras cheese and raw milk samples were 48.57% and 25.71%, which exceeded the European and Egyptian tolerance levels. Results showed an acceptable correlation between ELISA and HPLC methods with no significant difference (p>0.05). Alternatively, none of the examined samples proved to be contaminated with AFB1 despite the presence of mold with mean counts of 3.79±3.29, 4.39±4.34, and 4.84±4.29 log CFU/g in the examined processed cheese, Ras cheese, and raw milk samples, respectively. Conclusion: Therefore, it is urgent to regularly inspect the contamination of animal feeds with AFB1 and apply special measures and novel techniques to protect the feed and food from public health hazards.

Seasonal monitoring of Aflatoxin M1 in row milk samples at Sohag governorate

“…In a research was processed from September 2020 to March 2021, the samples were obtained from dairy shops and supermarkets at Cairo, Giza, and El-Minia governorates. AFM1 was detected in all examined raw milk with mean values of 40.27±3.996 ng/kg Esam et al (2022). Their data lower than the obtained results in both values and for the frequency of distribution.…”

“…And also, higher than the samples were obtained from Cairo, Giza, and El-Minia dairy shops. AFM1 contaminated raw milk samples were 25.71%, which above the European and Egyptian regulation limits Esam et al (2022). From this study, it is worthy to conclude that the variable levels of AFM1 in dairy products could be declared on the principals of climatic and seasonal variations and also due to change of geographical conditions.…”

“…Previously, the Ministry of Health legalized that the dairy products should be free from AFM1 (0 ng/ kg-1), in Egypt Iqbal et al (2015). Recently, the Egyptian standard followed the EU regulation for liquid and row milk products Esam et al (2022). Thus, strict legislations need to be applied by special authorizes in order to examine the presence of AFM1 in dairy products Ismaiel et al (2020).…”

Assessment of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk samples of some dairy animals from Sohag City, Egypt

“…In a study conducted from September 2020 to March 2021, the samples were obtained from dairy shops and supermarkets in Cairo, Giza and El-Minia governorates. AFM1 was found in all investigated raw milk with mean values of 40.27 ± 3.996 ng/kg (Esam et al , 2022). In a study performed on fresh milk samples obtained from different retail shops and local markets of three big Great Cairo Provinces in Egypt (Cairo, Giza and Qalyubia) during four seasons in 2016 and 2017.…”

Milk-Borne Diseases

“…When cows, sheep, goats, and other ruminant animals consume feeds containing aflatoxins B1 and B2, the liver's metabolic process produces aflatoxins M1 and M2, which are then excreted in milk. Milk and dairy products are fundamental components of the human diet and may be the primary route by which aflatoxins enter the body (the consumption of contaminated milk and dairy products, particularly cheese, is a significant risk factor for consumers, especially infants and young children) [68].…”