Study on presence of aflatoxin M۱ (a carcinogen toxin) in cow’s milk in Jiroft city, southeast of Iran

Introduction: Cow's milk is a daily staple food for many individuals that can be contaminated with many toxins such as aflatoxin M۱ (AFM۱). AFM۱ is a chemical form of the aflatoxin B۱ produced by some species of Aspergillus (A.) genus like: A. ochraceus, A. flavus, A. nomius, and A. parasiticus that can contaminate feed and forage cattle. This toxin enters into the milk after eating contaminated feed by cows. AFM۱ can cause various dangerous diseases such as cancer, especially liver cancer and immune deficiency in human. The present study is aimed to investigate the level of AFM۱ in cow's milk in Jiroft, Kerman Province, Iran. Methods: A total of ۹۰ cow’s milk samples were collected in spring and summer ۲۰۱۹ from available stores in Jiroft city. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs) was used to measure AFM۱ in all cow’s milk samples. Results: In the present study, AFM۱ was found in ۸۸(۹۷.۸%) milk samples with a range of ۰.۰–۹۰.۶۲ ppt (mean, ۲۰.۰۷±۲۴.۴۶ ppt). AFM۱ concentrations exceeded ۵۰ ppt (maximum tolerance level of AFM۱ in the EU) was seen in ۱۲(۱۳.۳%) samples. Conclusions: The results of this study showed the presence of AFM۱ in cow's milk in Jiroft city. So, in this region, many people are exposed to dangerous diseases such as cancer due to consumption of milk contaminated with AFM۱.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aflatoxin M۱ ، cow ، fungi ، milk ، toxin