A Study on the Occurrence of Aflatoxin M1 in Raw and Pasteurized Milk Produced in Rafsanjan, Iran

aflatoxins, which have been known as causative factors of hepatic and extra-hepatic carcinogenesis in human, are very teratogenic, mutagenic, toxic, and carcinogenic compounds. This study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in 40 raw milk and 47 pasteurized milk samples collected during summer and winter.To analyze the samples, the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Procedure was used. Aflatoxin M1 was found in 97.5% of the raw milk ranging from 6.52 to 68.17 ng/l and 95.7% of the pasteurized milk, ranging from 0.8 to 58.13 ng/l. Toxin levels in 10% of the raw milk and 2.1% of the pasteurized milk samples exceeded the Iranian national standard limit i.e. 50 ng/l. Due to seasonal variations, mean concentration of AFM1 in the samples which collected in winter was significantly (P < 0.03) higher than those collected in summer. Large amount of of AFM1 in milk samples might be a potential hazard for public health. Reducing the levels of AFB1 in animal feedstuffs can be the initial approach to control the transfer of AFM1 to humans.