Determination of Aflatoxin M1 in whey powder by HPLC and ELISA methods

Whey powder is one of the dairy products that is used widely in the food industry. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that it is healthy and is not contaminated with various toxins such as Aflatoxin M1, in order to protect the health of the consumers. Producing Whey powder from contaminated milk (with Aflatoxin M1) results in the products containing Aflatoxin M1. This study was conducted to determine the contamination of whey powder to Aflatoxin M1 in two domestic factories. Whey powder samples were collected during 8 months from December 2014 to July 2015. Regarding the Aflatoxin M1, the samples were evaluated by ELISA. Additionally, 26 samples were also analyzed by HPLC-FLD method. According to ELISA method, the contamination level of 44 samples (52.4%) was less than the permitted value (1000 ppt) and 40 samples (47.6%) were higher than the maximum tolerance limit recommended by Iranian national standard (Number: 5925). The average concentration of toxin in the studied samples was 1100.2±734.8 (ppt). The range of changes in concentration was between 200 and 7000 ppt. In the current study, seasonal impact on the level of Aflatoxin M1 was not significant among the samples. The results of HPLC and ELISA methods did not show significant differences in the detection of Aflatoxin M1 contamination. Seasonal impact on the level of Aflatoxin M1 was not significant among the samples. Contamination of whey powder with Aflatoxin M1 is harmful to human health.