Abstract
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in milk is a potential risk for animal and human health. The occurrence of AFM1 in raw milk from Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in different climate conditions was evaluated. A total of 129 milk samples were collected from dairy farms in three distinct periods (dry period, transition period and rainy period), and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) as screening test. Samples with AFM1 at concentrations above 0.05 μg/L were analyzed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) as confirmatory method. All the analyzed samples showed contamination with AFM1. In the three periods, AFM1 was detected at concentrations below the permitted limit of 0.50 μg/L in milk, according to the Brazilian legislation, and 18 samples (13.95%) showed contamination with AFM1 above the permitted limit of 0.05 μg/L established by Codex Alimentarius and European Commission. Milk contamination with AFM1 was significantly affected by climatic conditions, and the highest values were verified in dry period. The AFM1 contamination was lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) estimated for Latin America, indicating that milk from this region is safe for human consumption. Control measures to monitor AFM1 in milk are mandatory in tropical climate countries especially in dry periods.