Dedection of aflatoxin M1 in organic milk and dairy products

In this study, 193 organic dairy products consisting of organic UHT milk (44 samples), organic yoghurt (26 samples), organic cheese (91 samples) and organic butter (32 samples) were examined for aflatoksin M1 (AFM1). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used for analysis of the samples. Samples were collected from organic markets in Turkey. We also determine the level of yeast-moulds values of samples.This is the first report on the AFM1 level in organic dairy products produced in Turkey. AFM1 was detected in 42 (95.4%) UHT milk samples (mean: 60.376 ng/kg; range: 0.3-78.3 ng/kg), 39 (42.8%) cheese samples (mean: 136.843 ng/kg; range: 8.5- 486.6 ng/kg) and 26 (100%) yoghurt samples (mean: 238.038; range 143-269 ng/kg). AFM1 contamination was not detected in butter samples. AFM1 levels of 7 (7.6%) cheese samples, 39 (88.6%) UHT milk samples and 26 (100%) yoghurt samples were above the maximum tolerable limit of the Turkish Food Codex. The results indicated that the level of AFM1 in organic dairy products especially yoghurt and UHT milk could be a potential risk for consumers.Keywords: Organic milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter, Aflatoxin M1.