E K Kang'ethe1, G M M'Ibui, T F Randolph, A K Lang'at. 1. Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-0625, Nairobi, Kenya.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Aflatoxin M1 and Total Aflatoxin B1 in milk and animal feeds. DESIGN: Cross sectional household study. SETTING: Urban and peri-urban area of Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya. SUBJECTS: Two hundred fifty seven dairy farming households and 134 non-dairy neighbouring households. RESULTS: The prevalence of AFM1 in milk was found to be 45.5% (178/391). The farmer prevalence was 43.5% (112/257), while that of non-farmer was 49.2% (66/ 134). There was however no statistical significant difference between the two categories. Of the 178 positive milk samples, 49% had aflatoxin levels exceeding 0.05 microg Kg(-1). The prevalence of AFB1 in the feed was found to be 98.6% (69/70) with 83% of the samples having aflatoxin B1 levels exceeding 10 microg Kg(-1). Only one feed sample had no traces of AFB1. CONCLUSION: This study points to an underlying problem that requires the action by policy makers, considering the number of samples with aflatoxin M1 [49%] and aflatoxin B1 [83%] exceeding the WHO/FAO tolerance limits for milk and feeds destined for dairy animals.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Aflatoxin M1 and Total Aflatoxin B1 in milk and animal feeds. DESIGN: Cross sectional household study. SETTING: Urban and peri-urban area of Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya. SUBJECTS: Two hundred fifty seven dairy farming households and 134 non-dairy neighbouring households. RESULTS: The prevalence of AFM1 in milk was found to be 45.5% (178/391). The farmer prevalence was 43.5% (112/257), while that of non-farmer was 49.2% (66/ 134). There was however no statistical significant difference between the two categories. Of the 178 positive milk samples, 49% had aflatoxin levels exceeding 0.05 microg Kg(-1). The prevalence of AFB1 in the feed was found to be 98.6% (69/70) with 83% of the samples having aflatoxin B1 levels exceeding 10 microg Kg(-1). Only one feed sample had no traces of AFB1. CONCLUSION: This study points to an underlying problem that requires the action by policy makers, considering the number of samples with aflatoxin M1 [49%] and aflatoxin B1 [83%] exceeding the WHO/FAO tolerance limits for milk and feeds destined for dairy animals.