Carry-over of aflatoxin B1 to aflatoxin M1 in high yielding Israeli cows in mid- and late-lactation

Toxins (Basel). 2013 Jan 16;5(1):173-83. doi: 10.3390/toxins5010173.

Abstract

The potent hepatotoxin and carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common mycotoxin contaminant of grains used in animal feeds. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the major metabolite of AFB1 in mammals, being partially excreted into milk, and is a possible human carcinogen. The maximum permitted concentration of AFM1 in cows' milk is 0.05 μg/kg in Israel and the European Union. Since milk yield and the carry-over of AFB1 in the feed to AFM1 in the milk are highly correlated, it was considered important to determine the AFM1 carry-over in Israeli-Holstein dairy cows, distinguished by world record high milk production. Twelve such cows were used to determine AFM1 carry-over following daily oral administration of feed containing ~86 μg AFB1 for 7 days. The mean carry-over rate at steady-state (Days 3-7) was 5.8% and 2.5% in mid-lactation and late-lactation groups, respectively. The carry-over appears to increase exponentially with milk yield and could be described by the equation: carry-over% = 0.5154 e(0.0521 × milk yield), with r(2) = 0.6224. If these data truly reflect the carry-over in the national Israeli dairy herd, the maximum level of AFB1 in feed should not exceed 1.4 μg/kg, a value 3.6 times lower than the maximum residue level currently applied in Israel.

MeSH terms

  • Aflatoxin B1 / analysis
  • Aflatoxin B1 / metabolism*
  • Aflatoxin M1 / analysis
  • Aflatoxin M1 / metabolism*
  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Carcinogens / analysis
  • Carcinogens / metabolism*
  • Cattle / physiology
  • Female
  • Food Contamination*
  • Lactation / metabolism*
  • Milk / chemistry
  • Milk / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Aflatoxin M1
  • Aflatoxin B1