Presence of Aflatoxin M1 in Commercial Milk in Paraguay

Abstract

The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk is a public health concern because milk is a significant part of human diets worldwide. In economies where AFM1 monitoring is low or nonexistent, the possibility of AFM1 contamination might be increased. Our study was conducted to detect and quantify AFM1 in fluid milk and milk drinks of various brands, fat concentrations, packages, and heat treatments sold in the Metropolitan Area of Asunción, Paraguay. Eighty samples were collected from supermarkets in the Metropolitan Area of Asunción following a nonprobability sampling method. An enzymelinked immunosorbent assay for AFM1 (25 to 500 ppt) was used to quantify the toxin, and results were analyzed with nonparametric methods. All samples were positive values for AFM1 (above the detection limit of 25 ng/kg); 85% of the samples had 30 to 50 ng/kg, and 15% had .500 ng/kg. No significant difference in AFM1 concentration was found based on fat concentration, heat treatment, or type of packaging of these milk products; however, significant differences were found between brands.