Occurrence and analysis of aflatoxin M1 in milk produced by Indian dairy species

A total of 600 samples of milk from different species [buffalo (150), cow (150), goat (150), and sheep (150)] were analyzed for aflatoxin M1 (AFM(1)) contamination using high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. AFM(1) contamination was found in buffalo (38.6%), cow (45.3%), goat (33.3%), and sheep (36.6%) milk. The mean value of AFM(1) was 0.026 mu gL(-1) in buffalo, 0.018 mu gL(-1) in cow, 0.014 mu gL(-1) in goat, and 0.017 mu gL(-1) in sheep milk. In all types of milks, the level of AFM(1) concentration was higher in milk obtained from urban and semi-urban areas, whereas it was found minimal in milk from rural areas. The results of the analysis of AFM(1) level by the ELISA analysis (ngL(-1)) was observed in 46.5% of all samples. The amount of AFM(1) in 16% buffalo, 44% cow, 10% goat, and 12% sheep milk samples was above the maximum tolerance limit accepted by the European Union.