Aflatoxin M₁ contamination in cow and buffalo milk samples from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Punjab provinces of Pakistan

Abstract

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 (AFM₁) by HPLC-FLD. From Punjab about 46% of buffalo's and 49% of cow's milks were contaminated with AFM₁ as compared with 52% and 51% for milk samples from NWFP, respectively. Overall, the mean AFM₁ concentration was 0.046 µg kg⁻¹ with a maximum of 0.350 µg kg⁻¹. All samples complied with the Codex Alimentarius limit of 0.50 µg kg⁻¹ for AFM₁ in milk, but 16.3% of samples exceeded the European Union maximum level of 0.05 µg kg⁻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 AFM₁ concentrations in milk during the morning (0.043 µg kg⁻¹) and the evening (0.028 µg kg⁻¹) lactation times.

Keywords:

• aflatoxins
• milk