Determination of Aflatoxin M1 in Raw Milk for Human Consumption in Peshawar, Pakistan

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantity of aflatoxin M1 in fresh milk being used for human consumption. To determine the aflatoxin M1 in milk, a total of 40 number of milk samples were collected in the months of June and July, 2013 from the local milk shops/sellers in Peshawar city. These samples Were brought to the Laboratory of Center of Animal Nutrition and were analyzed using Vicam fluorometer (series 4EX) for aflatoxin M1. All the milk samples were found contaminated with aflatoxin M1, out of which, 55% of samples were found to contain aflatoxin M1 in higher quantities and 45% in acceptable quantities (Table I), as recommended by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA. The minimum quantity of aflatoxin M1 was 0.37 (ppb), maximum 1.2 (ppb) and average was found to be 0.715 (ppb) much greater than recommended level (0.5 ppb) and further-confirmed by statistical testing. This level of aflatoxin M1 in milk consumed by human beings is alarming and requires improving the feed/ration storage conditions especially for dairy animals.