Aflatoxin M-1 contamination in cow and buffalo milk samples from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Punjab provinces of Pakistan

A total of 178 milk samples (94 of buffalo and 84 of cow) were randomly taken from Punjab and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan (n = 89 in each province) and analysed for the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM(1)) by HPLC-FLD. From Punjab about 46% of buffalo's and 49% of cow's milks were contaminated with AFM(1) as compared with 52% and 51% for milk samples from NWFP, respectively. Overall, the mean AFM(1) concentration was 0.046 mgkg(-1) with a maximum of 0.350 mgkg(-1). All samples complied with the Codex Alimentarius limit of 0.50 mu gkg(-1) for AFM(1) in milk, but 16.3% of samples exceeded the European Union maximum level of 0.05 mu gkg(-1). Another set of 415 buffalo's and cow's milk samples (213 morning milks and 202 evening milks) were analysed. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between mean AFM(1) concentrations in milk during the morning (0.043 mu gkg(-1)) and the evening (0.028 mu gkg(-1)) lactation times.