Determination of aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A in milk and dairy products in supermarkets located in Mansoura City, Egypt

Abstract

In this study, the occurrence of different mould species from milk samples, milk powder, roomy cheese and kariesh cheese samples in Mansoura city, Egypt was determined. Out of 200 randomly screened samples, 67(33.5%) were confirmed positive for the presence of different mould species. The overall incidence rate in raw milk, milk powder, roomy cheese and kariesh cheese were 20%, 38%, 48% and 28% respectively with a mean mould counts, 2.284 ± 0.488 × 102 cfu/mL, 1.416 ± 0.155 × 102 cfu/g, 2.727 ± 0.770×102 cfu/g and 1.950 ± 0.578 × 102 cfu/gmL respectively. Significant variation in the incidence of different mould species was detected among different examined samples. Various mould species were recovered from these examined samples including, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Geotrichum spp., Cladosporium spp., Byssochlamys spp., Nigrospora spp., Rhizopus spp., Acremonium spp., Fusarium spp. and Paecilomyces spp. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and Ochratoxin A (OTA) were estimated in a total of 40 raw milk and dairy products samples by immunoaffinity column (IAC) and was measured by VICAM fluorometer. AFM1 was detected in 70% of all examined samples, while; OTA was detected in %80 of all examined samples. A significant difference between concentrations of OTA (p=0.037) and concentrations of AFM1 (p=0.001) among different milk products were detected. All positive samples harboring AFM1 exceeded the Egyptian regulation for AFM1 in milk. In conclusion, Presence of moulds and mycotoxins in milk and different dairy products with high percentage indicates public health hazards that require strict hygienic conditions in dairy products industry.