Evaluation of Aflatoxin M1 in raw buffalo milk and some dairy products in Assiut governorate, Egypt

Ninety random samples of raw buffalo milk, Kareish cheese, and yogurt (thirty of each) were collected from different localities in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. The samples were collected between July 2022 and April 2023 to analyze the presence of Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) using an ELISA kit. The results revealed that out of the examined raw milk and dairy products (Kareish cheese and yogurt), 17 samples of raw milk (56.67%), 13 samples of Kareish cheese (43.33%), and 14 samples of yogurt (46.67%) tested positive for AFM1.The analytical results showed that AFM1 concentrations in the collected samples ranged from 4.35 to 55.48 ng/l, with an average count of 38.54 +/- 3.045 ng/l for raw buffalo milk. For Kareish cheese, the concentrations ranged from 3.40 to 52.59 ng/Kg, with an average count of 44.12 +/- 2.005 ng/Kg. In the case of yogurt, the concentrations ranged from 5.69 to 58.34 ng/Kg, with an average count of 32.86 +/- 2.007 ng/Kg. The highest distribution frequency of AFM1 was observed at 10 ng/l (58.82%), 8 ng/Kg (61.54%), and 9 ng/Kg (64.28%) within the range of 10-50 ng/l or ng/Kg in the examined raw milk, Kareish cheese, and yogurt samples, respectively. It is worth noting that all examined raw milk, Kareish cheese, and yogurt samples exceeded the limits of Aflatoxin M1 established by Egyptian regulations for Mycotoxin in Foods, which require them to be free from AFM1. Additionally, there were three samples (17.65%) of raw milk, two samples (15.38%) of Kareish cheese, and two samples (14.29%) of yogurt that exceeded the European Commission Regulation (50 ng/Kg).