Determination of aflatoxin M1 in raw milks produced in çorum province by HPLC

The aim of study is to determine the presence of AFM1 in the raw milk produced in the centre and the surrounding villages of Çorum. A total of 200 raw milk samples provided directly from the manifactures during four seasons have been analysed using HPLC device. While AFM1 has been detected between 22-401 ng L-1 in different concentrations in 129 (%64,5) samples, it hasn't been detected in the rest 71 (%35,5) samples. 87 samples have exceeded the acceptable limits indicated in the Turkish Food Codex (50 ng L-1). The range of positive samples has been figured out as 22-289 ng L-1 in autumn, 29-199 ng L-1 in winter, 30-177 ng L-1 in spring and 26-401 ng L-1 in summer. The analysis results point that AFM1 concentrations carry potential risk from the point of consumers. In Çorum and around, manfactures, associations and cooperatives are needed to raise awareness in order to keep the aflatoxin formation and development at minimum level in milk and diary products. In animal feeding stuff and agricultural products, preventive measures should be taken to prevent the AFB1 contamination. It's been estimated as important to monitor AFM1 formation periodically; control and monitoring should be done besides manifacturers being acknowledged.