Assay of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk Based on Notification Test Methodology, Using Prominence-i and the RF-20Axs Fluorescence Detector

Introduction

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) is a mycotoxin suspected of carcinogenicity in humans that is detected in the milk of mammals that eat food contaminated with aflatoxin B₁. The notification "Handling of Aflatoxin M₁ in Milk" issued on July 23, 2015 (Notification No. 0723-[1] of the Department of Food Safety, PFSB, MHLW) sets a regulatory level for AFM1 in milk of 0.5 μg/kg, and came into force on January 23, 2016. The assay methodology for AFM₁ in milk was included in "Test Methodology for Aflatoxin M₁ in Milk" (Notification No. 0723-[5] of the Department of Food Safety, PFSB, MHLW), which was announced on the same day and describes two test methodologies. (1) Test method consisting of quantitation by HPLC with attached fluorescence detector and confirmation by LC/MS or LC/MS/MS. (2) Screening method using an assay kit. We describe an analysis of commercially available milk that is compliant with test method (1). We analyzed for AFM₁ in bovine milk using the Prominence-i integrated HPLC and the RF-20A_XS fluorescence detector. Under these conditions we were able to measure AFM₁ at a concentration of 1/10th Japan's regulatory level for AFM₁ in milk.

June 27, 2016 GMT