Aflatoxin M1 determination in yoghurt produced in Guilan province of Iran using immunoaffinity column and high-performance liquid chromatography

The prevalence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in conventional and industrial dairy products (yogurt, cheese, kashk and dough) of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aflatoxin is a toxic metabolite produced mainly by Aspergillus spp. which may occur in dairy products because of biotransformation. In this work, a systematic and meta-analysis approach has been considered on the topic of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) content in dairy Iranian products. Based on the literature review, AFM1 was the most common aflatoxin contamination in dairy product. Additionally, studies revealed that higher levels of AFM1 were produced during cold seasons includes winter and autumn. Although, immunochemical technique (ELISA) was the frequent and rapid test, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and chromatographic methods (HPLC) were commonly used as confirmative techniques to determine the level of aflatoxin. Meta-analyzing of the results showed that AFM1 can be found in the dairy products with overall prevalence percentage of 63.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56.28-70.78) and 54.05 (95% CI: 43.09-65.02) based on the sample type and production process, respectively. The higher prevalence percentage of AFM1 of 73.96 (95% CI: 60.27-87.66) and 69.91 (95% CI: 62.00-78.83) was found in yoghurt and industrial production type of samples, respectively. In general, 17.8% of cheese, 14% of yogurt, 12.63% of kashk, and 2.1% of doogh contained AFM1 in concentrations exceeding the permitted level of standards. Totally, results showed that 88.89% of dairy products were contaminated by AFM1 exceeding from standard limits.

Evaluation and Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk and Milk Products in Yemen Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Aflatoxin M1 is one of the major fungal contaminants found in dairy products around the globe. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in samples of milk and milk products in Yemen. The tested dairy product samples were collected from different sources for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in Yemen. A total of 250 local and imported samples consisting of 38 liquid milk, 60 powder milk, 62 yogurt, and 90 cheese samples which are marketed throughout Yemen were tested by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) along with a fluorescence detector and immunoaffinity column purification for detection of AFM1. High levels of AFM1 were detected in preserved milk (77.24%), ranging from 0.021 μg/L to 5.95 μg/L. On the other hand, AFM1 was detected in 66.66% and 68.42% in powdered milk and liquid milk samples, respectively. Among dairy products, 87.09% of yogurt and 81.39% of cheese samples were found contaminated with AFM1. The AMF1 values were higher than the acceptable range for humans set by the European Union. So, we concluded that dairy products used in Yemen showed an AFM1 content beyond the acceptable range, and this is a major factor for causing health-related complications including cancer. In the present study, we reported for the first time the presence of mycotoxins especially AFM1 in dairy products used in Yemen.

Effect of thermoultrasound on aflatoxin M1 levels, physicochemical and microbiological properties of milk during storage

The aim of this research was to determine the physicochemical properties, microbial counts and aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) levels of thermoultrasonicated, pasteurized and untreated milk (control) at days 1, 7 and 14 of storage. Thermoultrasound treatment was performed at a rate of 20 kHz for 10 or 15 min and 95% amplitude on homogenized and non-homogenized milk samples. Results showed that most physicochemical parameters were within the Mexican norms established for milk. Ultrasound treatment for 15 min reduced solids precipitation (p < 0.05) in unhomogenized milk during storage as compared to the pasteurized milk. All samples complied with aerobic mesophilic counts limits set by the Mexican norm except the control and the homogenized milk sample which was thermoultrasonicated for 10 min. Enterobacteriaceae counts of pasteurized and 15 min-thermoultrasound homogenized milks complied with the norm. The lowest levels of AFM₁ were found in the 10 min-thermoultrasound unhomogenized milk (0.15 ± 0.05 pg AFM⁠₁E/mL) one day after storage. Thermoultrasound did not affect the color of samples but homogenized milk treated for 10 min exhibited less total color difference. A high phenolic content was found in thermoultrasound and pasteurized milks on day 1. Thermoultrasound could be an alternative to milk pasteurization that preserves the physicochemical and microbiological quality of milk while reducing AFM₁ levels.

Aflatoxins in Food Products in Iran: a Review of the Literature

Context

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain toxigenic fungi and the most of them are aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, ochratoxin A, patulin, and zearalenone.

Evidence Acquisition

In consideration of the consumption of certain farm products for animal feed and the prevalence of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in food, the present study was performed to evaluate this situation in Iran with a review of the literature using search engines. All published articles were selected using Iran Medex, Magiran, PubMed NCBI, and Google Scholar.

Results

Aflatoxins have been found in many food products in Iran.

Conclusions

It is necessary to detect aflatoxins in foods and food products as early as possible, before they enter human or animal bodies. There is a high consumption of milk and dairy products in Iran, and the proper management of animal foods can help to decrease the aflatoxins in milk.