Detection of aflatoxins, ochratoxins and some chemical adulterants in raw Milk

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Animal Health Research Institute, Egypt

2 Faculty of Applied Medical Science- Shaqra University

Abstract

Milk is essential for the nourishment of children and adult life providing their daily food requirements. Aflatoxins are
mycotoxins have been produced by some species of Aspergillus. Ingested Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) are metabolised into
carcinogenic Aflatoxins M1 (AFM1) which are eliminated through milk. Also, seller and producer add chemical
substances (adulterants) to milk to increase its shelf life. Adulteration is defined as removal or replacement of milk
components and an addition of substances without a consumer’s knowledge which is banned. The presence of mycotoxins
or chemical adulterants has serious health risk. The present study evaluated 60 samples of cow’s raw milk in El- Minufia
governorate for the presence of aflatoxins, ochratoxins and some chemical adulterants. Also, its chemical composition
(fat, S.N.F and protein). The result indicated that 16.7%, 8.33% of tested samples contained aflatoxins M1 and aflatoxins
M2 respectively. All the tested samples were free from ochratoxins. Also, 88.33% of collected milk samples contained
different chemical adulterants; inhibitory substances (70%), formalin (41.67%), water (37.5%), hydrogen peroxide (20%),
boric acid (16.70%), carbonate and bicarbonate (8.30%), nitrate (5%). Moreover, 50% and 54.17% of milk samples were
less than the legal requirement for fat and S.N.F respectively; then protein was decreased in 41.67% of samples. The
present study recommended to monitor the marketing of milk by instructions and rules, which include the standards of
the sold milk and to control the milk quality to be safe for the consumer

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