Aflatoxin M1 or AFM1 is a toxic substance produced by molds (fungus) found in contaminated feedstuff which when ingested by dairy animals can be passed unto humans through milk consumption. However, there is limited literature relating to AFM1 in local milk products in the Philippines.

Republic Act No. 10611 of the Philippines or previously known as the Food Safety Act of 2013 rendered concern on the production, processing, distribution and sale of safe pasteurized liquid milk products from dairy animals.  Coinciding with the said act is PCC’s initiative in the development of technologies related to promotion and marketing of buffalo dairy products.

With the aim to detect AFM1, a research entitled “Monitoring of Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and Dairy Farm Management of Water Buffalo” was conducted by Dr. Ma. Wynne Pagaduan, Dr. Claro Mingala, and Dr. Marvin Villanueva of PCC in collaboration with Dr. Gemerlyn Garcia of Central Luzon State University.

Previous studies stated that the contamination of feed with fungus allows conversion of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by hydroxylation to AFM1 that can be found in the milk of lactating cows. If not detected, the ingestion of AFB1 can cause liver damage and cancer and subdues immune system and nutrient absorption of humans.

Two components comprise the research namely Detection of AFM1 through Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and Monitoring for Dairy Management Programs. Milk samples were collected from the PCC institutional herd and four PCC-assisted cooperative farms in Nueva Ecija.  Apart from laboratory utilization, questionnaire for the evaluation of feed system and skill of dairy handlers from cooperating farms was designed.

As per the optimization of UPLC conditions, the calibration curve comprises AFM1 standard and retention peaks, composition of mobile solvents such as water, acetonitrile and methanol at the flow rate of 1 ml/minute, manipulation of column temperature and wavelength at 350 nm. Precision testing was done for the validation of AFM1 UV absorbance values between the retention time 0.8 and 1.0 minute.

The result shows that there is no trace of AFM1 amongst the 32 raw unpasteurized milk and five pasteurized milk from PCC institutional herd, Catalanacan Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC) in Science City of Muñoz, Bagong Pag-asa sa Bagong Talavera Cooperative (BPBTC) in Talavera, Eastern Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (EPMPC) and Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIPBUMPC) in San Jose City.

Moreover, good dairy management principles and practices were employed by the dairy buffalo farmers.  The following were observed.

1. Effective implementation of proper forage production and conservation and feeding management on pre, during and post-harvest, which included the use of well dried forages, removal of discolored and unhealthy feeds, and removal of pests and insects from the storage.

2. Usage of toxin binders to dairy feed concentrates prevent aflatoxin contamination.

3. The monitored adoption of skills derived from training contributed to the aflatoxin risk-free milk for public consumption.

While there are still other elements that affect milk, the detection of AFM1 that can cause cancer is a must to further ensure safety of consumers.  Also, it helps rally good feed management and practices amongst dairy buffalo farmers that is needed in preventing Aflatoxin.

Apart from UPLC, other technologies that can be used to determine AFM1 are radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunoassay and mass spectrometer.