Determination of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk by HPLC marker as evidence of cattle- food storage conditions from the herd suppliers of a dairy company in the city of Valledupar

The production of mycotoxins in human or animal food represents a potential danger for health and milk production. Colombia is a country with large agricultural and livestock activities, and these areas are seriously affected by the presence of aflatoxins. The contamination by aflatoxin M1 in milk and its derivatives varies between 40% and 60% and is given by the presence of aflatoxin B1 in food and feed commodities for consumption of such cattle, which has become a problem with global significance. To contribute to the monitoring of these mycotoxins in Colombia, a study on thirty herd providers from a dairy company was carried out in the city of Valledupar to determine the concentration of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk by HPLC as evident marker of cattle-food storage conditions. First, a health inspection report of storage area was made; then, direct seeding of food stored in PDA agar was made; afterwards, the concentration of aflatoxin M1 was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 30 different milk samples obtained from suppliers of the dairy company under study. Inspection of food storage site gave as a result that, in 100% of the herds, there could be contamination of food with clearly identified hazards. Both yeast and mycelial growth were obtained from direct seeding; mycelial growth was consistent with the producer of aflatoxin B1 fungus Aspergillus flavus. In the determination of AFM1 concentrations in raw milk, samples yielded results that found concentrations of aflatoxin M1 in the raw milk of 30 herds within the levels allowed by ICONTEC. The threshold obtained was 160.2 ng / L followed by 86.9 ng/L. These, according to this study, would be the maximum limits to which consumers would be exposed as the other values were lower. According to the results of this study it is recommended to implement the determination of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk produced in the department of Cesar, in order to verify the real situation regarding this toxin and thus exercise control and surveillance measures which ensure the welfare of the consumer population.