Aflatoxin M1 Contamination in Ice-Cream

Abstract

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that it can be found in milk and dairy products. In this study, ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique was used for detection of AFM1 in ice-cream in Guilan province (Northern Iran). A total of 90 ice-cream samples was randomly obtained from different supermarkets. In 62 of the 90 ice-cream samples examined (68.88%), the presence of AFM1 was detected in concentrations between 8.4 -147.7 ng/l. The mean level of AFM1 in positive samples was 40.36 ng/l. AFM1 levels in 11 samples (12.22%) were higher than the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/l) accepted by ISIRI, European Community and Codex Alimentarius.