Aflatoxin M1 in Ultra High Temperature Milk Consumed in  Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

M.  Mohamadin; A.  Rama; R.  Seboussi

doi:10.18502/jfqhc.9.1.9689

M. Mohamadin Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 7946, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
A. Rama Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 7946, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
R. Seboussi Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, P.O. Box 17155, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfqhc.9.1.9689

Keywords: Aflatoxins, Aflatoxin M1, Milk, Dairy Products, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) is a mycotoxin found in milk that has a carcinogenic effect and poses significant public health risks. Since the human population's
consumption of milk and milk products are quite high, thereby increasing the risk of
exposure to AFM₁ is of great threat. To assess public health hazards associated with the occurrence of AFM1 in Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk, a survey was carried out in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: A total of 42 UHT milk samples from different commercial brands were
collected from January to April 2020. The occurrence and concentration range of AFM₁ in the samples were investigated by applying the competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.

Results: AFM₁ was detected in four positive samples (9.5%) with a concentration range of 2.8-7.4 ng/L and a mean concentration of 5.2±1.9 ng/L. However, none of the positive samples had AFM₁ levels exceeding the maximum permissible limit (50 ng/L) as set by the European Commission.

Conclusion: AFM₁ incidence in the samples selected from UHT consumed milk in Sharjah-UAE is very low and seems to be no serious public health problem at the moment. Frequent analytical surveillance by food control agencies is highly recommended to keep controlling of the incidence of mycotoxin contamination in dairy products consumed in the UAE.