AFLATOXIN M(1) IN HUMAN BREAST-MILK SAMPLES FROM VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA AND THAILAND

This study examined the exposure of infants to aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) and of lactating mothers to aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)), using AFM(1) in b reast milk as a biomarker for exposure to AFB(1). An enzyme-linked imm unosorbent assay was modified for the analysis of AFM(1) in breast mil k samples from 73 women from Victoria for comparison with breast milk samples from Thailand (n = II). The results were compared with those o btained by HPLC. AFM(1) was detected in 11 samples from Victoria and f ive samples from Thailand at median concentrations of 0.071ng/ml (rang e 0.028 to 1.031ng/ml) and 0.664ng/ml (range 0.039 to 1.736ng/ml), res pectively. Levels of AFM(1) in Thai milk samples were significantly hi gher than those in milk samples from Victoria.