Evaluation of Aflatoxin M1 contamination and physicochemical adulteration in raw milk from southeast Brazil

With the increase in Brazil’s milk production, it is important to assure the quality and safety of dairy products. Milk being a product of animal origin is susceptible to microbial contamination, as well as toxic products such as mycotoxins or even adulterations, therefore the continued analyzes are needed to ensure that legislation is being enforced, avoiding possible health hazards to the consumers. 62 raw milk samples were collected from tank trucks at dairy processing facilities from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais and were tested for acidity, relative density at 15oC, fat and cryoscopic index, crude protein, lactose and Aflatoxin M1 according to the official methods. Among the evaluated samples, 11.29% (7) presented some irregularity in their composition and 41.93% (26) presented irregularities in cryoscopy, presenting their results above or below that recommended by the legislation. At the toxicological analyzes, 36.12% (33) presented values were above the allowed for Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). *Correspondence to: Luiz Antonio Moura Keller, Department of Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Agrossocioambinetal Sustentável Faculdade de veterinária Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói – RJ, Brazil, E-mail: luiz_keller@id.uff.br