Effects of aflatoxin B1 administration on Greek indigenous goats' milk

Abstract

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites of the fungi Aspergillus spp. After aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is consumed by lactating animals, it is metabolized to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is excreted into the milk. The present study investigates the AFM1 excretion into the milk and the milk composition of Greek goats after AFB1 administration. Thirty Greek goats were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each; one group of controls and two groups of treated animals. Each goat of the treated groups received per os 50 or 100 mu g of AFB1 per day, respectively, for 35 days. Individual milk samples were analyzed for AFM1 concentration and milk components. The results indicate the excretion of AFM1 into the milk at concentrations higher than the maximum European Union's limit and a significant decrease of milk fat content due to the higher AFM1 concentration into the milk samples and to the higher AFB1 administration in goats. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.