Aflatoxin M1 in raw milk in Croatia

In this study the levels of aflatoxin M-1 (AFM(1)) of 61 milk samples delivered from small milking farms were determined in January, February, March and April (winter-spring season), and June, July and September (summer-autumn season) of 2009. The AFM(1) concentration was determined by competitive enzyme-immunoassay method. The maximum mean concentrations of AFM(1) recorded in winter-spring season were in the range of 35.8-58.6 ng/l and in summer-autumn season in the range of 11.6-14.9 ng/l. The AFM(1) levels determined in January, February, March and April were significantly higher in accordance with concentration of AFM(1) in June, July and September (P<0.05 to P<0.0001, respectively). Also, there was significant difference (P<0.0001) between the mean concentrations of AFM(1) in samples taken all together in winter-spring and summer-autumn season. Only in one sample delivered in February the level of AFM(1) was higher than the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/l). Therefore, it was concluded that in 98.4% of milk samples in Croatia the levels of AFM(1) were below maximum tolerance level accepted by the European Union. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.