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. 2017 Aug;8(4):260-263.
doi: 10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.4.05. Epub 2017 Aug 31.

Aflatoxin M1 Contamination Levels in Cheeses Sold in Isfahan Province, Iran

Ali Sharifzadeh  1 , Payam Ghasemi-Dehkordi  2 , Mohsen Foroughi  3 , Elham Mardanpour-Shahrekordi  4 , Shahin Ramazi  5
Affiliations

Aflatoxin M1 Contamination Levels in Cheeses Sold in Isfahan Province, Iran

Ali Sharifzadeh et al. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1)-contaminated dairy products pose serious human health risks, causing liver and renal failure if consumed. They are also related to decreased milk and egg production in infected animals. This study investigated the AFM1 contamination levels in cheeses sold in Isfahan province, Iran, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Methods: A total of 100 white cheese samples were randomly collected from supermarkets in Isfahan province and after extraction using dichloromethane were prepared for the ELISA.

Results: Of the 100 samples, 52 (52%) were contaminated by AFM1, at levels ranging from 50.2 to 424.4 ng/kg. The remaining 48% of the samples had undetectable AFM1 levels (< 50 ng/kg). Based on the standard limit set by the European Commission and Iran, 8% (8/100) of the AFM1-positive samples (with concentrations between 250.2 and 424.4 ng/kg) had levels higher than the permissible value of 250 ng/kg.

Conclusion: Although the percentage of cheese samples in Isfahan province with AFM1 levels exceeding the national permissible limit was low, the examination of cheeses and the milk used for their production is nevertheless important for ensuring public health. Furthermore, optimum storage conditions of animal feed should be ensured, and livestock nutrition must be monitored for the presence of AFM1 and other aflatoxins.

Keywords: aflatoxin M1; cheese; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Calibration curve of the absorbance values for standard aflatoxin M1 concentrations. Linearization of the calibration curve was performed using logit-log transformation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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