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Presence of aflatoxin M1 in raw, reconstituted, and powdered milk samples collected in Algeria

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 187, Article number: 375 (2015) Cite this article

Abstract

Aflatoxins are potent toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus spp. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a metabolite of aflatoxin B1 that can be present in milk, and it is a public health concern. There is scarce information on the incidence of aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk consumed in Algeria. The presence of AFM1 was investigated in raw milk samples collected between February and October 2011 from 11 dairy farms representative of Algerian production conditions and that were located around Constantine city. Reconstituted and powdered milk samples were purchased from local supermarkets. The analysis was performed by liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection after immunoaffinity purification. AFM1 was detected in 5 out of 47 samples (11 %) at levels ranging from 9 to 103 ng/L, with one sample exceeding the limit of 50 ng/L set by European regulations. Traces of AFM1 (less than 8 ng/L) were also found in 11 other samples. The incidence of AFM1 contamination was higher in imported powdered milk (29 %) than in raw milk (5 %). Although the concentration of AFM1 in contaminated samples was low, the relatively considerable prevalence found in this exploratory study justifies more detailed and continuous monitoring to reduce consumers’ exposure to AFM1.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank all the staff from Baaraouia and Kadri in Constantine for their assistance in providing milk samples. We also thank the personnel of UMRH-Dima for their technical assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Biskra, BP 145 RP, 07000, Biskra, Algeria

    S. Redouane-Salah & A. Messaï

  2. Department of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Oum-EL-Bouaghi, BP 358, 04000, Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria

    R. Arhab

  3. INRA, UMR1213 Herbivores, 63122, Saint Genès-Champanelle, France

    D. P. Morgavi & H. Boudra

  4. Clermont Université, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, BP 10448, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    D. P. Morgavi & H. Boudra

Authors
  1. S. Redouane-Salah
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  2. D. P. Morgavi
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  3. R. Arhab
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  4. A. Messaï
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  5. H. Boudra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Boudra.

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Redouane-Salah, S., Morgavi, D.P., Arhab, R. et al. Presence of aflatoxin M1 in raw, reconstituted, and powdered milk samples collected in Algeria. Environ Monit Assess 187, 375 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4627-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4627-y

Keywords

  • Aflatoxin M1
  • Algerian traditional dairies
  • Milk products
  • Milk safety