title: Aflatoxin M1 occurrence in samples of Grana Padano cheese.
abstract: A total of 223 samples of Grana Padano cheese manufactured in 4 years (1991-94) by dairies in 11 provinces of the Po valley were checked for aflatoxin M1. Grated cheese was extracted with chloroform and the defatted extract was purified by an immunoaffinity column; aflatoxin M1 was determined by HPLC using a fluorescence detector. From the analysis of the data it has emerged that only one sample exceeded the maximum tolerated level in cheese in some European countries (250 ng/kg). Most samples (91%) were in the range 5-100 ng/kg and only 15 (6.7%) in the range 100-250 ng/kg. Notwithstanding a diffuse microcontamination, the situation regarding the AFM1 levels can be considered fairly satisfactory. Mean contamination levels of 1992 and 1994 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of 1993 and 1991. No significant difference was observed among provinces or dairies of origin.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione, Facoltà di Agraria U.C.S.C., Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peitri
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bertuzzi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bertuzzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piva
mesh_terms: D016607:Aflatoxin M1 / Q000032:analysis*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D002611:Cheese / Q000032:analysis*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D009153:Mutagens / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009153:Mutagens; D016607:Aflatoxin M1