Detection of aflatoxin M1 levels in cow, sheep and goat milk in winter and summer seasons

Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxin with potent carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutajenic and toxigenic effects, produced by certain species of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. In this study, 180 raw milk samples (30 cow, 30 sheep and 30 goat) analyzed in order to determine aflatoxin M1 by using ELISA method in winter and summer seasons. The result of analyses showed that aflatoxin M1 was detected in 3 (10%) cow's milk samples analysed in summer season and 15 (50%) in winter; in 1 (3.3%) sheep milk in summer season and 5 (16.6%) in winter. No aflatoxin M1 were determined in any of the goat samples analysed. In 1 of cow milk and 1 of sheep milk samples, the toxin levels were found to be above the officially reasonable limit value (>50 ng/l) recommended by Turkish Food Codex Regulation. As a result; the level of aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk samples collected in winter season was higher than those collected in summer season.