Aflatoxin M۱ contamination of raw and pasteurized milk produced in Sanandaj, Iran

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the levels of aflatoxin M۱ in raw and pasteurized milk samples during different seasons by Enzyme- Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay in Sanandaj, Iran. In ۲۵۷ (۹۴.۴۹%) out of ۲۷۲ milk samples the presence of aflatoxin M۱ was detected in concentrations ranging between ۰.۰۰۷ and ۱۱۵.۹۳۰ ng/l. AFM۱ level in ۱۲ (۴.۴%) of positive samples were higher than the maximum tolerance limit (۵۰ ng/l) accepted by Iran and European Union countries. Statistical evaluations showed that the differences between raw and pasteurized samples were not significant (p