Detection of aflatoxin M1 levels by ELISA in white-brined Urfa cheese consumed in Turkey

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 found in a variety of foods. In this study, 127 samples of white-brined Urfa cheese produced mainly in the southeast of Turkey from raw ovine and bovine milks were surveyed for the presence of AFM1 using a competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. The results showed that at detectable levels (≥50 ng/kg), 36 cheese samples (28.3%) were contaminated with AFM1 ranging from 70.61 to 770.97 ng/kg. Of the 36 cheese samples, 13 (10.2%) were found to have levels that exceeded the legal limits of 250 ng/kg established by the Turkish Food Codex. Consequently, the AFM1 contamination levels determined in this study in white-brined Urfa Cheese, which is commonly consumed in the southeast part of Turkey, were not considered to be a serious public health hazard. It was considered to be a potential risk for customers, particularly for infant health.