Atypical weather and climate conditions during the spring and summer 2012th
were assumed to be the main reason for the aflatoxins contamination of corn
crops in Serbia. High humidity in spring, and summer temperatures above the
average contributed to the increased possibility of mycotoxins occurance in
cereals in the fields. As a consequence, at the begining of 2013th
contaminated corn used for dairy cows diet had negative impact on the safety
of cow milk. The routine laboratory control data revealed an increased
content of aflatoxin M1 in milk samples. Large number of raw milk and various
feedstuff samples were collected from February to April 2013th and were
analysed for the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B1
respectively. The collected samples were a part of enhanced self-control
plans of the large dairy farms. Quantitative competitive and sandwich types
of ELISA tests were used for the screening analysis of the feed and milk
samples. Confirmation of the positive results obtained by ELISA tests was
performed by UPLC-MS/MS method. Out of 281 samples of complete mixtures for
dairy cows, 67 samples (24%) contained aflatoxin B1 quantities higher than
the MRL of 0,005 mg/kg [4]. Corn samples were also tested for the presence of
aflatoxin B1 revealing contamination of 22% above the MRL (0.03mg/kg).
Aflatoxin M1 content in the 934 positive milk samples ranged from 0,005- 1,25
?g/kg. The corresponding feed samples of sunflower meal, hay silage, corn
silage and sugar beet pulp were screening negative, with the content of
aflatoxin B1 less than 2 ?g/kg. The main source of aflatoxins were corn
samples, wholemeal and feed mixtures derived from contaminated corn. The
contamination peak was during March 2013, when 65% of milk samples contained
amounts of aflatoxin M1 higher than 0,05 ?g/kg, and 13% of milk samples
contained amounts higher than 0,5 ?g/kg.
Study of aflatoxins incidence in cow feed and milk in Serbia during 2013.