Assessment of aflatoxin M1 levels in ewe’s raw milk used for the production of Istrian cheese

This study was undertaken to determine the presence and levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in ewe’s raw milk produced by different farms in the Istrian region of Croatia, and to compare the obtained results with maximum of AFM1 tolerance limits in ewe’s milk that are accepted by some of the countries such as Croatia. All ewe’s milk samples were collected in triplicates at two farms in May, two farms in June, and two farms in July during the year 2007. The occurrence of AFM1 contamination in ewe’s milk samples was investigated by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique. A total of 18 samples of raw ewe’s milk were analyzed. AFM1 was found in all of the ewe’s milk samples examined. The mean value was 0.028 μg/L. None of the samples did not contain AFM1 in concentration that exceeded the maximum acceptable levels (0.05 μg/L) that are accepted by Croatia.