Occurrence of Aflatoxin M1 in Raw Ewe's Milk Produced in Sanliurfa, Turkey

The presence and concentration range of aflatoxin M-1 (AFM(1)) were investigated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique in 90 samples of raw ewe's milk obtained from 2 dairies in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Analytical results showed that 88.9% of the samples were contaminated with AFM(1). A total of 61.1% of the samples tested exceeded 50 ng/L set by the Turkish and European regulations for AFM(1), in raw milk. AFM(1) levels ranged from 17 to 232 ng/L and mean value was 89.89 ng/L. The incidence of AFM(1) in milk from these dairies was 77.8 and 100%, respectively. As a result, high incidence and levels of AFM(1) in raw milk samples produced in Sanliurfa were determined.