Exposure assessment on aflatoxin M1 from milk and dairy products-relation to public health

Eleni Malissiova; Georgia Soultani; Konstantina Tsokana; Mary Alexandraki; Athanasios Manouras

doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.12.017

Exposure assessment on aflatoxin M₁ from milk and dairy products-relation to public health

Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Feb:47:189-193. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.12.017. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Authors

Eleni Malissiova¹, Georgia Soultani², Konstantina Tsokana², Mary Alexandraki³, Athanasios Manouras⁴

Affiliations

¹ Milk and Dairy Laboratory, Food Technology PS, University of Thessaly, Greece; Food of Animal Laboratory, Animal Science Department, University of Thessaly, Greece. Electronic address: malissiova@uth.gr.
² Milk and Dairy Laboratory, Food Technology PS, University of Thessaly, Greece.
³ Milk and Dairy Laboratory, Food Technology PS, University of Thessaly, Greece; Food of Animal Laboratory, Animal Science Department, University of Thessaly, Greece.
⁴ Food Chemistry and Technology Laboratory, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Greece.

PMID: 35063200
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.12.017

Abstract

Background-aim: Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) contaminates milk and dairy products that are widely consumed foods. Therefore, there is increased concern for human exposure to the toxic action and the negative health effects that AFM₁ presents. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination levels with AFM₁, of dairy products available in the Greek market (Thessaly), and also to estimate the relevant nutritional exposure.

Methods: A total of 52 infant milk, 25 Feta cheese and 32 pasteurized milk samples were randomly selected from the market. The determination of AFM₁ was based on indirect immunoenzymatic ELISA method with two analytical packages; namely Tecna (Italy) and Prognosis Biotech (Greece), for comparison purposes, strictly following the manufacturer's instructions. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of AFM₁ through dairy consumption and the relevant hazard index (HI) were calculated.

Results: The levels of AFM₁, in all samples tested, were below the tolerable maximum level of 50 ng/L for milk and 25 ng/L for infant formulas (EC Regulation 1881/2006), while concentrations were very low (0.23-9.38 ng/L for infant formula, 0.54-4.09 ng/L for cheese and 0.20-17.84 ng/L for pasteurized milk). The exposure assessment revealed that infants, toddlers and children were the most exposed groups in AFM₁ via milk and formula consumption (0.65, 0.35 and 0.35 respectively). The HI was also noticed higher in those ages, with the maximum value to reach 1.90. Though, for feta cheese the exposure was calculated as very low (EDI: 0.01 and HI: 0.05). Comparing the two analytical packages used, no statistically significant difference was found (p-value >0.05).

Conclusions: Milk and dairy products tested were found safe for consumption, regarding the AFM₁ levels. From a public health perspective, the results are satisfactory, given that the population exposure to AFM₁, based on the nutrient profile, was rather limited.

Keywords: Aflatoxin M(1); Dairy products; Exposure assessment; Greece; Milk.

MeSH terms

Aflatoxin M1* / analysis
Animals
Food Contamination / analysis
Humans
Infant
Infant Formula / analysis
Milk* / chemistry
Public Health

Substances

Aflatoxin M1