AFLATOXIN M1 IN MILK AND ASSESSING THE POSSIBILITY OF ITS OCCURRENCE IN MILK PRODUCTS

Abstract

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a hepatocarcinogenic derivative of aflatoxin B1 excreted into the milk after ingestion of contaminated feed. The presenceof AFM1 in milk and milk products is of huge concern for human health. In this paper, the results on long term assessment of AFM1 in milk produced in Serbia are presented. In the period 2013 to 2016, 427 milk samples were examined for AFM1. In 34.4 % of samples, the content of AFM1was higher than 0.05 μg/kg. The article also offers a review of the fate of aflatoxin in milk products during the different operations in milk processing. The evaluation of the influence of processing on AFM1 stability can propose economic strategy for resolving cases of accidents due to AFM-1contamination of milk.