Seasonal Variation Of Aflatoxin M1 In Dairy Products During 2015 In Serbia

Abstract

During the last two years, official regulations about aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) level in milk are periodically changed. The cause of the variation in the concentration levels of AFM1 in milk during different seasons. The Serbian Government does not have the required regulations for the level of AFM1 in dairy products. The official regulations exist only for raw and heat treated milk. The aim of this study was to monitor the level of AFM1 concentration in two groups of commercial dairy products (fermented dairy products and milk drinks) during different seasons (autumn, spring, winter and summer) in 2015 year. The level of AFM1 varied during the season and the higher level of AFM1 recorded during the autumn, while during the summer period AFM1 level is much lower. However, level of AFM1 in different seasons was not significantly different and generally is much less than in previous years. The study indicates that current level of AFM1 in fermented dairy products and milk drinks is satisfactory. As it known, changes in the concentration of AFM1 in dairy products are a direct result of changes in the concentration of AFM1 in raw milk. However, based on literature data and results of this study it could be concluded that raw milk could be contaminated due to improper feed of cows, but is not accepted by dairy processors. These results indicate that situation regarding safety of dairy products has been improved, but still is essential to introduce monitoring programs for primary milk producers in order to avoid their losses.