Aflatoxin Residues in Fluid Milk

The content limit for allatoxin B1 in feedstuffs of the European Common Market Commission can result in the presence of aflatoxin in milk, Traces of aflatoxin have been found in milk, depending on the feedstuff used, feeding conditions and the season of the year. These results were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, by chemical reactions and by fluorescence spectra. Metabolic investigations show that the feeding of aflatoxin B1 to cows results in a lower amount of aflatoxin M1 in the milk. The amounts of M1 (and M2) to be found are low (Table I); aflatoxin B1 can also be found, but in still lower amounts. For estimating the excretion of aflatoxin M1 in milk, roughly 1.5 per cent of the aflatoxin feed intake can be expected. However, it Table 1. Excretion of aflatoxin M in milk during metabolic investigations Excretion of aflatoxii related to aflatoxin feed (;) M intake Reference