Aflatoxin M-1 Contamination of Ice Cream in Samsun, Turkey

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the presence and levels of Aflatoxin M-1 (AFM(1)) in ice cream samples consumed in the province of Samsun. For this purpose, a total of 115 samples comprising 25 vanilla ice creams, 65 fruit ice creams and 25 chocolate ice creams were used as the study materials. The ice cream samples were purchased randomly from 11 different markets. The samples were analysed by the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Aflatoxin M, was detected in 30 (26.08%) of the ice cream samples, ranging from 6.12-32.15 ng kg(-1) whereas 85 samples (73.92%) did not reveal the presence of this toxin. The AFM, levels were not higher than the limits of the Turkish Food Codex (50 ng kg(-1) for ice cream) in all of the ice cream samples. It was concluded that the aflatoxins contained in some of the investigated samples were potential risks for public health Therefore, milk which is the basic ingredient of ice cream must be continuously monitored for AFM(1) contamination. Furthermore, dairy cow feed should be stored in such a way that they do not become contaminated.