Aflatoxin in human and camel milk in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

During an initial survey, using thin layer chromatography, 10 of 64 samples of mothers’ breast milk, collected from donors at the Corniche Maternity Hospital and the Al-Nehyan Clinic for Maternity and Childhood, were found to contain Aflatoxin M₁ at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 1.3 ng mL⁻¹. A second survey using HPLC showed Aflatoxin M₁ at concentrations ranging from 7 to 23 pg mL⁻¹ in all of the 15 samples collected. 6 of 20 samples of camel milk collected from several sources in Abu Dhabi were also found to contain Aflatoxin M₁ at levels ranging from 0.25 to 0.8 ng mL⁻¹.