Abstract

SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN CARRY OVER OF AFLATOXIN FROM CATTLE FEED TO MILK OF BHAGALPUR DIVISION, BIHAR, INDIA

Ajoy K. Choudhary*, Smita Tudu, Ashish Ranjan and Priyanka Kumari

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin M1 is a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1, which is mostly produced by toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus Link Ex Fries. Cattle ingesting aflatoxin B1 contaminated feed excrete aflatoxin M1 in milk (milk toxins). The aim of the work was to study the transfer of AFB1 from feed to milk in varied climatological conditions of the seasons. Levels of AFB1 ingestion and AFM1 excretion by cows in different seasons (winter, summer and monsoons) were monitored. Comparatively higher levels of AFB1 intake and subsequently high levels of AFM1 excretion in milk were recorded during the monsoon periods, which resulted in high per cent carry-over rate. During wet seasons, the range of AFM1 concentration in milk was 0.036 to 0.069μg/kg with an average of 0.049 ± 0.002μg/kg. The carry-over rate during this season was 0.063 ± 0.008%. From the mean data it was obvious that carry-over rate was significantly high (p<0.05) during monsoons compared to winter seasons. High temperature (>25ºC) and RH (>80%) of monsoons provided congenial conditions for aflatoxin contamination in cattle feed.

Keywords: Aflatoxin M1, Milk, Carry-over, Season, Bihar.