Aflatoxin M1 in raw milk in Croatia

In this study the levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) 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 AFM1 concentration was determined by competitive enzyme-immunoassay method. The maximum mean concentrations of AFM1 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 AFM1 levels determined in January, February, March and April were significantly higher in accordance with concentration of AFM1 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 AFM1 in samples taken all together in winter–spring and summer–autumn season. Only in one sample delivered in February the level of AFM1 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 AFM1 were below maximum tolerance level accepted by the European Union.